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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.