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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

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

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.