🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up 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 profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.