🔗 Share this article

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.

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

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.