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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

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

The Powerful Set

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

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on 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-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.