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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.