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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-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 precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout 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 concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong 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 feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.