This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar 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, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
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