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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

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