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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Thoughts

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