🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Starting Performances: Classic Feelings Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame. Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo 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 Christmas mood with renditions 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. Overall Thoughts While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.