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

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.