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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood 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.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.