The news was shared on Friday, May 30, by Brian’s brother, Claude McKnight, in a TikTok video. In his message, Claude reflected on Niko’s legacy and touched on the ongoing “family drama,” according to PEOPLE.
Claude wrote, “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.”
In a three-minute TikTok, Claude McKnight, brother of Brian McKnight, shared the heartbreaking news of his nephew Niko McKnight’s (32) passing. Speaking from his car, Claude said he had been debating all day whether to post about the loss, but ultimately felt compelled to honor Niko’s memory. Niko, who had been battling cancer for the past two years, was remembered by Claude as a uniquely talented and creative individual — a gifted singer, skilled guitar player, and talented photographer, with a personality that made people enjoy being around him.
Claude acknowledged that while he typically avoids posting about serious family matters, he wanted to focus on celebrating Niko’s life and legacy. He briefly touched on the family tensions that have existed but emphasized that his goal wasn’t to revisit those issues. Instead, he reflected on the emotional struggles Niko faced, admitting that unresolved pain and past conflicts may have contributed to his nephew’s challenges. Despite the sorrow, Claude found comfort in knowing that Niko is no longer suffering from the pain and treatments of his illness. He ended his message with a heartfelt tribute, expressing love and hope for a future reunion.
Niko, the son of Brian McKnight and his ex-wife Julie McKnight, was a talented singer, guitarist, and photographer. During his youth, he and his older brother, Brian Jr., occasionally joined their father for public appearances and performed together as part of the group MCKNIGHT. In recent years, however, Brian McKnight, 55, has spoken publicly about his strained relationship with his older children. He addressed the family estrangement in 2019, noting the ongoing complexities within the family. Brian has seven children in total, including two stepchildren.
Brian McKnight, born in 1969, is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his smooth vocals and emotional songs. He rose to fame with his 1992 debut album, which included the hit “One Last Cry.” His 1999 album Back at One became his most successful, selling over 3 million copies. Over his career, McKnight has released 19 albums, sold over 30 million records worldwide, and earned 16 Grammy nominations. In addition to singing, he’s performed on Broadway, hosted radio shows, and appeared in television and film.
In April of last year, Brian — now married to Leilani and father to two children with her — referred to his four eldest children, including daughter Briana and son Clyde, as a “product of sin.” Around the same time, Niko publicly shared his cancer diagnosis in a January 2024 Instagram post, starting with the words, “everyone’s been asking — here we go.”
Meanwhile, Niko announced his cancer diagnosis in a January 2024 Instagram post, opening with, “everyone’s been asking — here we go. “your boy got the big C • it’s beeen one hell of a ride so far but things are looking better now than they were before so cheers to that. shout out to everyone in my corner and a super shoutout to my wife @phoenixelbow for saving my life (that’s a story for another day) let’s keep this momentum going and keep one prayer in the chamber for me yall. s—s gonna get better, i know it. also, don’t treat me different. i need looooove at all times.”
In December, Niko shared on Instagram that his health had significantly improved since returning home from the hospital. Although he admitted to ongoing anxiety, he was finally able to sleep through the night and eat without distress after going months without solid food, relying instead on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). While acknowledging he still had a way to go, he expressed optimism about his recovery.
