Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
