R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt 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, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.