🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame. Then, deep into her performance, 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 gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions 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. Overall Thoughts While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.