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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

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

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.