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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

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

The Powerful Set

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

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.