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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.