🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live 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 stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.