R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak 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. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.