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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.