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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “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 grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.