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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared 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 never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, 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 precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.