R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.