🔗 Share this article

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience 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 heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.