🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For 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 grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on 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-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.