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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

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

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

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.