🔗 Share this article

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

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

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions 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.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.