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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

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

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.