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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

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

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened 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 accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.