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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic 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 set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale 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 had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.