🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts. The Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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 While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.