🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success. However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured 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 Spirit Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong 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 had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.