🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances 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. Final Impressions While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.