⁠Who are Brian McKnight’s children? Singer’s son calls him out for celebrating lawsuit win against his ex-wife and posting about late son Niko

Brian McKnight's son, Brian Jr., slammed his father for celebrating his $8.8 million victory against his mother, Julie McKnight.

The controversial singer, who recently claimed that his elder kids were “evil” and the “product of sin,” took to Instagram to celebrate the hefty sum he won in “damages and punitive damages."

While he didn't name-drop his ex-wife and kids, he did play a voicemail from them. Brian McKnight has since clapped back at his estranged father's claims with a scathing video on Instagram.

For context, the R&B singer shares two kids with Julie McKnight: Brian Jr., and Niko McKnight. The latter succumbed to a struggle with cancer in May at the age of 32. Brian McKnight also has a daughter, Briana McKnight, from a previous relationship.

He tied the knot with his wife, Leilani, in 2017. They welcomed a son, Kekoa Matteo, shortly after, though he died in infancy. They then welcomed a son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr, in January 2023. Brian McKnight is also the stepfather to two of Leilani's kids from a previous relationship.

Brian McKnight Jr. slams his father for his contentious posts on his late brother's birthday: Read more

In his rant on Instagram, Brian McKnight Jr. said of his estranged father:

"I've tried really really hard to let it go, to be the bigger person, to be mature," he said. "But the shit going on with my dad right now, man. If y'all aren't seeing that this is just a very hurt, very emotionally unavailable, and not intelligent person, the person that is still not able to handle the death of his mother. The things that we're seeing him go through right now, to decide to make certain posts on my late brother's birthday. Say what you want dog, but the gloves are off for me."

Brian McKnight Jr. was referring to his father's posts from hours earlier, when he took to Instagram to celebrate his latest financial win.

“It’s been a long journey getting to this day: October 16th, 2025,” McKnight began. “But we are here in the English countryside about an hour and a half outside of London. And the verdict is in. We’ve been quiet, listening to liars continue to lie and keeping to ourselves, living and loving our life. As we said, leaving everything in God’s hands and letting our lawyer do the talking.”

He also said that he understands that “parents are human” who “have gone through things too," but,

“My issue is, though… man, you don’t want me to start talking about the things I had to deal with in my childhood. The things that I will take to my grave. The things that my brother took to his grave,” McKnight Jr. warned McKnight Sr. “That we could put out there. The things that we could say… because our dad wasn’t emotionally intelligent enough nor mature enough to actually be a father. You don’t want that!”

He continued to flex his win and slammed others who he claims defamed and tarnished his name:

“But according to the courts, trying to ruin my name and trying to bring harm to my family in a book filled with lies equals $8.8 million dollars. And this is just the beginning. Because anyone and everyone that helped promote these lies will hear from my lawyer in the days to come. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Now from my voicemail is the voice of a liar.”

Brian McKnight also played a voicemail, seemingly from his ex-wife:

“Do not text Niko again, do not call Niko again,” Julie allegedly says in the clip. As the audio played, you could see the singer run, hop, and tap his feet together in the air. “Leilani, if you are also checking these messages, that goes for you as well. I am very serious about this. I am very serious about this. Do not text him, period. Period. Please understand that. And Brian, you know me. You know me, and you know that I mean what I’m saying to you.”

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