{"id":2263742,"date":"2026-02-02T23:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2263742"},"modified":"2026-02-02T23:00:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:00:17","slug":"review-new-edition-boyz-ii-men-and-toni-braxton-showcase-the-power-of-rb-at-kia-forum-during-grammy-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/review-new-edition-boyz-ii-men-and-toni-braxton-showcase-the-power-of-rb-at-kia-forum-during-grammy-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton showcase the power of R&B at Kia Forum during Grammy weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In the midst of Grammy weekend<\/a>, New Edition\u2019s L.A. tour stop at the Kia Forum on Saturday was a forceful statement on longevity and a reminder never to underestimate the power of R&B. Seeing all six members of the iconic vocal group on stage for a sold-out crowd more than four decades after their careers began reflects a group still fully present, with a visible love for the music they continue to perform.<\/p>\n

Fellow R&B royalty Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton were perfect additions to the lineup of seasoned vets whose music stands the test of time.<\/p>\n

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New Edition onstage at the Kia Forum.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

The crowd at the Kia Forum reflected the wide reach of New Edition\u2019s impact, with longtime fans who are now parents bringing their children to experience the music live, and a younger generation that probably discovered the group well after their heyday through later productions like the BET\u2019s 2017 miniseries, \u201cThe New Edition Story.\u201d The audience has expanded beyond the generation that first embraced them. That blend of familiarity and discovery created an atmosphere that felt like a celebration and a family reunion on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

New Edition commanded the stage with undeniable energy, delivering polished, in-sync choreography, a testament to the foundation laid early on and the lasting imprint of the band\u2019s original manager and choreographer, Brooke Payne. To open the nearly three-hour concert, New Edition began with a new song, \u201cGoing Out Tonight,\u201d joined onstage by Braxton and Boyz II Men, a moment that made it clear the tour honors legacy but isn\u2019t afraid to give the crowd something new.<\/p>\n

Rather than separating each act into its own set, the show unfolded as a rotating hit factory, with New Edition, Braxton and Boyz II Men weaving in and out of the setlist. New Edition anchored the night, returning to the stage repeatedly while making space for solo moments from Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill, as well as a Bell Biv DeVoe segment that reminded the crowd of the immense catalog these artists have. The cadence was the perfect balance to keep the energy high, and of course, what\u2019s R&B without some ballads and sad love songs? It was like being on a tour bus, with each stop featuring different eras, even with a brief intermission where B2K came on stage to perform \u201cBump Bump Bump.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fans sway to the music as Boyz II Men performs Saturday at the Kia Forum in Inglewood.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

\u201cCan You Stand the Rain,\u201d \u201cCandy Girl\u201d and \u201cMr. Telephone Man\u201d highlighted New Edition\u2019s collective chemistry, and even amid the choreography\u2019s physicality, the group moved through multiple outfit changes, featuring matching looks.<\/p>\n

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Bobby Brown performs with New Edition at the Kia Forum.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

There was a sense of fluidity throughout the night that also left room for personality. One of the night\u2019s funniest moments came when Bobby Brown joked, \u201cYeah, it\u2019s me \u2014 the crazy one,\u201d before singing \u201cEvery Little Step.\u201d Each moment felt well-placed, from a group deeply experienced in shaping a live show.<\/p>\n

Tresvant\u2019s solo was smooth and sensual. Gill delivered a powerhouse performance, showing off his vocal capability. Bell Biv DeVoe brought a swagger that only they can, blending R&B and hip-hop in a way that still has fans screaming \u201cPoison\u201d lyrics.<\/p>\n

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Boyz II Men dance in unison Saturday at the Kia Forum.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

A surprise to many, this marks the first time New Edition and Boyz II Men have gone on the road together, despite their long-standing connection through Michael Bivins, who first discovered Boyz II Men. Even though the show came decades later, the timing still felt right. <\/p>\n

Boyz II Men\u2019s Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris and Nathan Morris are still as vocally strong as they were 30 years ago but with more experience, and you can hear the gratitude in their voices for having made it this far in their careers. They paid tribute to celebrities we\u2019ve lost this past year with a slideshow, and the touching performance of \u201cIt\u2019s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday\u201d was a perfect segue into \u201cOne Sweet Day\u201d (which they performed without Mariah Carey<\/a>, who was just honored as Person of the Year at the annual MusiCares gala), as the entire stadium sang along. Their performance made it clear they\u2019ve protected the treasure that carried them this far: their voices.<\/p>\n

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Toni Braxton sings Saturday at the Kia Forum.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n

Toni Braxton rounded out the lineup as the tour\u2019s only solo artist and its only woman headliner. She commanded the stage with her vocal range, making her one of R&B\u2019s most recognizable and influential artists. She paired her ballads with upbeat records, drawing cheers when Kayla Nicole joined her during \u201cHe Wasn\u2019t Man Enough.\u201d<\/u><\/a> She also spoke briefly about her gratitude for being able to continue performing, acknowledging a journey that has not always been easy. Once told by doctors that a lupus diagnosis could limit her ability to do so, Braxton stood onstage, still moving freely and hitting every note.<\/p>\n

In an industry that might feel like it\u2019s moved on from the era of R&B when these performers ruled, the concert proved that the music remains deeply wanted \u2014 and fully capable of filling arenas. Saturday\u2019s show not only paid homage to the music many grew up on but also provided a clear vision for emerging R&B artists and aspiring Grammy winners in the crowd (including some famous fans who\u2019ve also won a few statues themselves), showing just how far the genre can take them when built on a solid foundation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n