🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of 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: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo 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 turned to the holiday mood 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 Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.