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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.