🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Powerful Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.