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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning 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 live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, 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 delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.