🔗 Share this article

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

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

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle 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. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.