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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.