🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. The Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame. Then, deep into her performance, 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 gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems 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 glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.