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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

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

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.