🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke 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 emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.