Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt 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, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included 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 Spirit

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

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.