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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable 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 concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.