🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Powerful Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success. However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded 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 evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.