I'll dominate 'serious fighter' Jake Paul - Joshua
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- By Ryan Johnson
- 02 Sep 2026
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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 evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
A seasoned travel writer and outdoor enthusiast with over a decade of experience exploring remote destinations and sharing practical insights.