🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.