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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

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

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.