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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.