The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
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