🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. The Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.