🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never 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 stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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 While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.