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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

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

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.