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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

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

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.