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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, 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 moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began 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 accompaniment.

Their performance included covers 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 Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.