A night of R&B royalty

All microphones were most definitely on when The New Edition Way Tour rolled into Enterprise Center on Friday night with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton. With decades of hits and more than 160 million records sold between them, the trio of R&B powerhouses delivered a premium, hit‑stuffed experience to a crowd of roughly 20,000 fans who came ready to sing every word.

Instead of the traditional one‑act‑at‑a‑time setup, the artists rotated throughout the night. The format made the concert feel like a perfectly curated personal playlist. New Jack Swing, classic R&B, and 90s slow‑jam nostalgia flowed into each other seamlessly, turning the arena into a full‑scale old‑school party. Couples swayed, friend groups two‑stepped, and longtime fans relived the soundtrack of their coming‑of‑age years.

The fashion on stage was its own spectacle. Each return to the spotlight came with a fresh, more elaborate look. Toni Braxton opened in silver fringe and crystals before slipping into crushed velvet later in the night. The crowd matched her energy—sequins, chrome, and metallics shimmered from every section, transforming the arena into a glittering celebration.

New Edition leaned into a bold red motif, stepping out in leather trench coats for their R&B numbers and jeweled hoodies for their swing‑era hits. Boyz II Men complemented the palette with jewel‑accented velvet suits that caught the light with every step.

“I want you to really wrap your head around what’s happening here tonight,” Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman told the crowd. “This has never happened in music history—especially Black music. Three acts, over 160 million records sold, all on one stage. This is history you are witnessing tonight.”

And it truly felt historic. Fans surrounded every side of the stage, belting out classics like “Motownphilly,” the group’s breakout hit. From the opening notes, Boyz II Men made it clear they came to celebrate.

They moved effortlessly into ballads like “Please Don’t Go” and “Do What I Gotta Do,” delivering each note with the emotional precision that earned them four Grammy Awards—including wins for “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road,” songs that helped define 90s R&B.

Toni Braxton brought her signature elegance and unmistakable vocal power. Toni Braxton brought unmatched elegance and vocal power to the stage. Her performance of “He Wasn’t Man Enough”—which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance—was filled with confidence and attitude. She followed with crowd favorites like “You’re Makin’ Me High” and “Please” before slowing things down with “Long As I Live” and “How Many Ways”.

One of the night’s most dramatic moments came when Braxton rose from beneath the stage to a soaring violin intro by St. Louis native Bell Darris. Dressed in a white sequined gown with a high slit and winged backpiece, she delivered “Un‑Break My Heart,” one of the best‑selling singles of all time and another Grammy‑winning performance in her catalog. The audience joined in almost instantly, turning the moment into a shared emotional release.

New Edition kept the energy sky‑high with “If It Isn’t Love,” complete with their iconic choreography and the original music video playing overhead. They brought out more of their staccato moves for “Get Me Off” and “N.E. Heart Break,” circling the stage with the kind of swagger that transported the crowd straight back to an 80s dance floor.

Then came the deep‑cut nostalgia: “Mr. Telephone Man” and “Cool It Now,” performed with the same youthful charm they had when the group first hit the scene. “Candy Girl” sent the arena into a frenzy—especially when Bobby Brown stepped up for the rap verse.

Brown also carved out solo moments throughout the night. He performed hits like “Every Little Step”—which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance—along with “Roni” and “My Prerogative,” still carrying that unmistakable “bad boy” charisma.

The night closed with a high‑energy finale as New Edition and Boyz II Men joined forces for “Poison,” grooving along the edge of the stage while dancers grooved under flickering strobe lights like a true 90s party come to life.

Even after hours of music, the crowd drifted out still singing, their voices echoing through the concourse like a final reminder that this night belonged to R&B history.

Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.

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