🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Moving Set 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 seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.