🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform 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 stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise 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 Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale 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 experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.