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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.