Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured covers 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 Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars 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, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
