🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.