🔗 Share this article

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.