🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success. However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale 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 hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.