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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.