This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance 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.
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
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