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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.