🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, 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 delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Moving Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.