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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.