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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.