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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Set

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

Then, deep into her performance, 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 delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. 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 performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.