🔗 Share this article

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage 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 heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

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

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.