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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.