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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening 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 time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.