🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.