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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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 Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.