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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored 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 sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive 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 Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.