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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.