R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.