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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

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

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to 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.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.