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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

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

The Powerful Performance

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

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted 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 iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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 Cheer

Finally, 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 evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.