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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The beginning 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 appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points 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, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.