Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.