Valentine’s Day 2025 was one for the books at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami. The Love Note: A Valentine’s Day Affair, brought to us by BMD Entertainment and Design Production, was everything we needed—a night of pure vibes, no over-analysis, just good ol' R&B feels. With a stacked lineup featuring Silk, Next, Jon B, Case, Troop, and Public Announcement, this concert was all about that real, timeless love music.

Lately, we expect artists to make statements with their performances—especially after cultural moments like Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. Sometimes, however, the statement is the vibe itself. The Love Note was a space where Black love could just be without any pressure to prove, push, or politicize. Just slow jams, good energy, and people enjoying the moment with their person (or solo, because self-love is a thing too!).

The love in the air was palpable even before the concert started. The audience spanned generations—Gen Z (we were on a college campus, after all), Millennials, Gen X, and even some Baby Boomers—each ready to belt out the lyrics they’ve known by heart for years. The second the lights dimmed and the music started, it was clear: this was the place to be for true R&B heads.

From beginning to end, the audience was thoroughly engaged. You could tell they relished the space created for ‘90s-2000s R&B to be celebrated in all its glory. The cheers, the swaying, and the spontaneous singalongs showed just how much this era of R&B still means to so many people.

Troop opened the night, bringing their buttery harmonies to All I Do Is Think of You and Spread My Wings, transporting everyone in the audience to a scene straight out of a '90s love movie. Public Announcement followed up with their signature energy, delivering their classic Body Bumpin' (Yippie-Yi-Yo) and setting the stage for what was to come. In a touching surprise moment, one of the members proposed on stage—and she said yes! The crowd erupted in cheers, adding an extra dose of romance to an already love-filled evening.

Fel Davis shared with Bossy Magazine in a post-performance interview, summing up the essence of the night perfectly: "Great music always takes you to that favorite place. You hear your favorite song, no matter how old it is, and it always takes you there. That’s the joy of music." That’s exactly what they delivered—a feel-good performance that took everyone back to their happiest memories.

Case kept the momentum going, bringing his unmistakable voice to Happily Ever After and Touch Me, Tease Me, reminding everyone why his music remains timeless. Case shared with Bossy Magazine: "I’m just here to make people feel good. I always wanted to make music that could stand the test of time. So, it is fun." Fun is exactly what it was.

Jon B, ever the smooth operator, stepped out looking like he hadn’t aged a day since They Don’t Know first dropped. His voice still dripped with honey as he crooned his way through Someone to Love and Are U Still Down?, making every couple in the crowd lean in just a little closer.

Then, it was time for the headliners. Next turned up the energy with Too Close, Wifey, and Butta Love, bringing the crowd to their feet and making it impossible not to sing along. In a special moment, RL and T-Low performed We Can’t Be Friends, originally a duet between RL and Deborah Cox. Instead of bringing out another singer, they had the women in the audience take on Deborah’s solo parts while they tackled the harmonies. The result was breathtaking, a collective moment of shared emotion that left many in the audience visibly moved.

Finally, Silk closed the night on the perfect note, delivering their signature sensuality with Freak Me and Lose Control. Their harmonies were tight, their stage presence undeniable, and their performance was a fitting finale to an incredible evening.

Unlike many R&B concerts, The Love Note had a unique lineup consisting exclusively of male artists. This gave the night a distinct energy, reminiscent of the era when R&B men weren’t afraid to pour their hearts into lyrics and melodies. The concert paid homage to a time when male vocalists weren’t shy about begging, pleading, and expressing their deepest emotions—the kind of energy that made songs like Jodeci’s Cry for You and the signature “Nayhoo” wail instant classics in the world of Black love ballads.

In today’s musical landscape, ‘90s-2000s R&B is often idealized as the pinnacle of love storytelling. It was the sweet spot of R&B music, narrating ideal Black love and relationship experiences in ways that still resonate. The Love Note tapped into this nostalgia effortlessly, reminding everyone why these songs remain timeless and beloved.

When the last note faded and the crowd slowly made their way out, there was one shared sentiment: this was the kind of night that sticks with you. The Love Note created a night for feeling the music, celebrating love in all its forms, and letting the songs that shaped our lives do what they do best.

It was a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful act of resistance is carving out space for joy. For one night in that arena, Black love, nostalgia, and slow jams took center stage. A perfect Valentine’s Day, sealed with a Love Note.

Written By Thiy Parks of I Love Us Media