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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing 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 earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.