🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. The Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters 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, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits 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 glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.