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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving 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 performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “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 grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood 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 Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.