🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. The Moving Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition 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 opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included 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 Touch of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.