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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For 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 crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.