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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits 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 sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.