🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, 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 precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.