🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.