🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set 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 Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.