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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-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 performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.