🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience 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 legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame. Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. 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 abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.