🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Powerful Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version 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 moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.