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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle 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 moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.