🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame. Then, deep into her performance, she opened up 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 deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.