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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

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

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, including 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 turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong 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 past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.