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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.