🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Moving Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success. However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition 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 classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.