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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

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

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, 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 responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances 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 evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.