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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful 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 had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.