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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly 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 success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.