90s Nostalgia at RnB Christmas Ball
The RnB Christmas Ball was a throwback to the golden age of R&B with love ballads, harmony, and raw vocal talent of Dru Hill, Joe, Toni Braxton, and Boyz II Men.
My dear husband makes another trip around the sun in a few weeks. As a devoted fan of 90s R&B, I surprised him with an early birthday gift: tickets to this year’s RnB Christmas Ball at the O2. It’s rare for us to venture out on a school night, but when R&B legends come to town, exceptions must be made.
As Montell Jordan would say: “This is how we do it. It’s Monday night, and I feel alright. The party is here at the O2!”
The evening was drenched in nostalgia, transporting us back to the carefree days of our youth—listening to hip-hop on the radio, saving pennies for Michael Jackson’s latest CD, and slow-dancing at school discos that ended promptly at 7pm.
The Golden Age of R&B
The 90s truly redefined R&B. Smooth soul vocals, timeless love ballads, hip-hop beats, baggy jeans, and unmatched vocal talent created a decade of swagger and feel-good vibes. This year’s RnB Xmas Ball lineup—Dru Hill, Joe, Toni Braxton, and Boyz II Men—was nothing short of a 90s dream. In between set changes, the DJs had a massive sing along of all the classic 90s RnB.From TLC to SWV, Mary J. Blige to Lauryn Hill, from Tevin Campbell to Whitney Houston, the era remains unforgettable.
RnB Ball Set
Dru Hill: We arrived at the packed O2 after a 20-minute security queue, slipping into our seats just as Dru Hill wrapped up their set. The 90s R&B band belted out “These are the Times” before Sisqo electrified the crowd with his iconic “Thong Song”, leaving everyone on their feet.
Joe: Next came Joe, smooth and soulful as ever. Time has been kind to him—he hasn’t aged a bit. His set was a masterclass in R&B, from “Don’t Wanna Be a Player (No More)” to “All the Things”, closing with the timeless “I Wanna Know.”
Toni Braxton: Then, the incomparable Toni Braxton appeared, radiant in festive red. A long-awaited return after her battle with lupus, she delivered an emotional tribute to God and her late sister Traci. Her set moved seamlessly from upbeat hits like “He Wasn’t Man Enough” and “You’re Making Me High” to heart-wrenching ballads including “Breathe Again”, “Another Sad Love Song”, “Let it Flow,” and the unforgettable “Un-Break My Heart.”
Boyz II Men: Finally, the Kings of Harmony took centre stage. Their flawless vocals carried classics like “I’ll Make Love to You”, “End of the Road”, “On Bended Knee”, and “Water Runs Dry.” They surprised the crowd with covers of MJ’s “Don’t Stop,” Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven”, before closing in style with “Motownphilly.”
As the final notes faded after four hours of feel good music the trio wished the crowd goodnight, leaving thousands of fans glowing with joy. For diehard 90s R&B lovers, it was more than a concert—it was a journey back to the soundtrack of our youth. Indeed, it was a very good night at the RnB Christmas Ball.
