🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts. The Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances 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 Thoughts Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.