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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began 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 accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece 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 embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded 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 night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.