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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage 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 heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing 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.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching 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 tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.