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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing 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

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.