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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, 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 responsive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.