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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong 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 hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.