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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.