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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.