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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.