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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

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

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched 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.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.