🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success. Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong 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 production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.