🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.