Brian McKnight Jr. Claims Dying Brother Niko Requested Father Say ‘I Love You’ Before Colon Cancer Death, Brian McKnight Allegedly Replied, ‘I Can’t Arbitrarily Say I Love You;’ Julie McKnight Also Slams ‘Belittling’ Singer

Whew, the family drama surrounding singer Brian McKnight just took another heartbreaking turn. His ex-wife Julie McKnight and their son Brian McKnight Jr. are once again speaking out, sharing a truly difficult account. Brian Jr. claims that before his brother, Niko McKnight, passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, he simply wanted to hear “I love you” from their father. The alleged reply from McKnight? A cold, “I can’t arbitrarily say I love you.”

This isn’t new territory for Brian McKnight. He’s been estranged from his four eldest children—Brian Jr. and Niko (with Julie), daughter Briana (with ex Patricia Driver), and son Clyde (with an unidentified woman)—for years. Back in 2019, the R&B legend reportedly called these children “entitled.”

The tension escalated in October 2023 when he legally changed his name to become a senior to his newborn son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., whom he shares with wife Leilani Mendoza. It’s worth noting he was already a senior to his eldest son, Brian Jr., 35, whom he shares with Niko’s mom, Julie, 53.

By April 2024, the situation grew even more public and painful. Brian Sr. controversially referred to his estranged biological children as a “product of sin,” stating he would not claim them. During an Instagram Q&A, he told fans, “In order to live a life that you love, you have to get rid of the evil and the negativity — even if that evil and negativity is related [to you].” This statement prompted Niko to publicly call out his father on social media.

That same month, Brian Sr. accused his ex-wife, Julie, of hindering his efforts to help Niko with his cancer battle. In May, Niko fired back at both his father and fellow R&B artist Tyrese, who had stepped in to defend Brian Sr. after these public disownments.

Tragically, amidst this ongoing family turmoil, Niko McKnight passed away on May 29, 2025. He was just 32 years old, succumbing to a two-year fight with Stage 4 colon cancer. His mother, Julie, confirmed the devastating news on Instagram.

She shared a photo of herself with Niko and Brian Jr., accompanied by a heartfelt caption:

“Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him. Nikolas was a self taught artist of music and photography. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and all those who held him dear.”

Julie respectfully asked for privacy during this incredibly difficult time. Following Niko’s passing, reports emerged that Brian Sr. reportedly made no effort to reconcile with his estranged son before he died, nor did he reach out to the family afterward.

Brian McKnight Sr. eventually broke his silence after Julie and his own brother, Claude McKnight, commented on his noticeable quietness. He dismissed their statements as “tasteless.”

Now, seven months after Niko’s death, Julie and Brian Jr. are once again shedding light on the family’s pain. Julie describes her ex-husband’s actions as “belittling,” while Brian Jr. recounts the incredibly difficult moment of his brother’s dying wish.

During an interview with Marc Lamont Hill, Brian Jr. shared:

“One of the darkest and coldest and one of the most disheartening memories of my life, is the day my brother called me, sobbing, with all that he’s going through, looking death in the eye, to tell me, ‘I’m right,’ about telling him not to call my father. Because I knew what was going to happen. Because I knew where my dad was. I told him, ‘Dad is gone. Dad’s gone.’ All my brother wanted and needed, and asked for was my father to tell him that he loves him. And my father responds, ‘I can’t arbitrarily say that you I love you.’ But this is the man that wanted to help him?”

Julie also spoke on the painful conversation, slamming her ex-husband for “belittling” their dying son and prioritizing his new family over him.

“Yes, people heard the voicemail. But, they have no idea that, as a mom, standing in the room, with my son, on speaker with his wife, and hearing how belittling his father talked to him. If the first comment out of his mouth was, ‘I don’t appreciate the way you’re treating my new family,’ who gives a damn, man?”

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