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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version 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, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set 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 Holiday Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.