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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening 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.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.