🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Moving Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-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 live band. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.