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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period 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 live again. Singing 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 command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.