R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions 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 points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.