🔗 Share this article

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing 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 stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.