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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, 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 gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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 Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.