🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, 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 tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances 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.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.