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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.