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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle 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. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the 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-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday 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 finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.