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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

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

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For 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, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished 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 strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began 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 covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.