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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set 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, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured 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 Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme 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 evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.