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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched 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.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.