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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.