🔗 Share this article

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For 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 grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.