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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage 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 artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.