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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing 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 declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.