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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing 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 declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times 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, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.