🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.