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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

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

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.