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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.

Then, 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 single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “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 crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.