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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 evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed 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 not perform live again. Performing 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 sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.