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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply 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, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.