🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. The Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly 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 harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.