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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

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

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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 signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated 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 harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout 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 turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.