R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including 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 closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
