🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Powerful Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal 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 breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.