🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings 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 ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success. Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.