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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing 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 sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching 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 featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.