R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic 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 performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances 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.

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.