R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances 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.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.