🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame. However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Power 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 abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable 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 embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.