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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.