🔗 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 nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional 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 command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.