🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Powerful Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.