Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering 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 Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version 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 breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.