Brian McKnight has called out his brother, Claude McKnight, for his “tasteless” post announcing the death of the R&B singer’s 32-year-old son, Niko McKnight.
“A big big thanks to Claude Mcknight’s tasteless and self aggrandizing announcement on TikTok, that frankly was not his to make, in my opinion, he inserted himself and used Niko’s death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity. It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama,” reads the lengthy post from Brian, which was shared on Instagram.
Brian said that he was in Maui holding a “private memorial” for his son Niko, who died after a two-year battle with cancer, as his brother Claude shared a post on TikTok about the news.
“The last time he and I spoke, we offered him all the help we could provide,” Brian continued. “We had the number one oncologist on deck for him and a team of specialists on standby with private care in our home. He and his mother declined. The door of communication was open and remained open until his death.”
He also called out his ex-wife Julie McKnight, the mother of Niko, for allegedly refusing to accept any help during Niko’s battle with cancer. “May God have mercy on your soul for not allowing him to accept that help and not allowing him to use that line of communication,” he wrote. “There is great comfort in knowing God knows the TRUTH and the totality of the WHOLE story. I am truly thankful for the immense peace God has given me. I’ve left everything in HIS hands. I, have a clear conscience. The only judgement that matters is God’s.”
Brian McKnight’s lengthy post on Instagram is his first statement following the news of Niko’s death.
Claude was the first to break the news, describing his nephew as “ridiculously talented” and a “curious” individual. “I’m devastated at my nephews’ passing. If you comment please do do in love, and NOT at what you may have heard about the relationship my brother had/has with his kids. Thank you,” he captioned the heartfelt TikTok post.
Niko’s mother Julie, meanwhile, confirmed her son’s death in another post.
“It is with profound sadness that Julie McKnight and family announce the passing of her beloved son Cole Nikolas McKnight, affectionately known as ‘Niko’ on Thursday, May 29, 2025,” she wrote. “It is with profound sadness that Julie McKnight and family announce the passing of her beloved son Cole Nikolas McKnight, affectionately known as “Niko.” on Thursday, May 29, 2025.”
Niko disclosed his cancer diagnosis in January 2024. His relationship with his father had been publicly strained for years, as Brian described his eldest children as a “product of sin” and “pure evil.” As reported in April 2024, Brian claimed that Julie forbade him from providing help to his estranged son during his battle with cancer.
Page Six reported that Brian made “no effort” to reach out to Niko before his death, according to a source close to the family.
