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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage 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 earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.