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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set 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 Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.