🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. The Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.