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The 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 reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke 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 heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems 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 points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.