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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on 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 awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions 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.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.