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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.