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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.