R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
