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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme 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

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.