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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

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

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated 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 precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.