🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.