R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.