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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily 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, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.