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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.