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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

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

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.