🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up 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 gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.