🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame. However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.