🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.