🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame. Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.