🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Moving Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame. 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 emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated 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 vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.