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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable 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 evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.