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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.