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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

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

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt 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 grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.