R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.