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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

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

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.