🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame. However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live 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 declared earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.