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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

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

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced 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

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.