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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

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

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.