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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set 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 cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle 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 heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.