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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

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

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.