🔗 Share this article

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

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

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared 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 live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers 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 Christmas Cheer

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 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 production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.