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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

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