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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.