🔗 Share this article

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.