🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.