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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.