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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.