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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers 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 Holiday Cheer

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

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.