🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Powerful Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing 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 earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.