🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. The Powerful Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.