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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

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

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.