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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.