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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.