🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success. However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “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 command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.