🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Moving Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching 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 performance included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.