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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles 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 stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run 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 experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.