🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Vibes Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. The Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success. However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.