🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.