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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers 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 Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.