🔗 Share this article

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday 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.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.