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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.