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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, 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 outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.