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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch 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 closing run of anthems 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 glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.