In news that can only be described as “wait, are you serious?” there’s new drama brewing between Brian McKnight and his brother Claude. And believe us when we tell you, it’s setting social media ablaze.
As we previously told you, on May 30, the news broke that Brian’s estranged son Niko passed away after a battle with cancer. His uncle Claude was the one who actually shared the news on TikTok and it subsequently went viral and garnered sympathetic reactions online. However, while the occasion should’ve been understandably somber, things took a messy turn thanks to a post Brian made on Instagram on Tuesday.
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In it, Brian blasted his brother for the “tasteless and self aggrandizing” announcement he made about his son’s death and claimed that he asserted himself in something that he shouldn’t have. He also claimed that his brother turned his son’s death into a circus and further called out Niko’s mother for allegedly not allowing him to get to communicate with him or accept help from him in his final days.
“He [Claude] 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,” Brian wrote.
He continued:
“While that was unfolding my family and I flew home to Maui and had a private memorial remembering him, and all the good times.
The last time he and I spoke, we offered him all the help we could provide, 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 went on to say that he was grateful that his son’s suffering was finally over and thanked those offering kind words and condolences.
However, there weren’t too many people offering up words of support. Specifically when it came to Black men, countless ones took to social media to express their utter disdain about how the “Back At One” singer allegedly treated his son and the aftermath of his death.
“May Brian McKnight never sing another note ever again in his Black ass life. I hope he has laryngitis until the day he goes to hell. F*ck ass bastard. And wife, you ain’t shit either ho. Rest In Peace to Niko McKnight. Sending love to everyone with ain’t sh*t daddies,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.
“‘My son could’ve had better medical care if he simply bent the knee.’ Wrote his son’s name in the sand with a bottle of Henny like he was simply some dude in his touring band. Brian McKnight is a scum bag. LOL” one other user wrote.
Added another, “The fact that Brian McKnight really just lost his son and didn’t try to reconcile or even go see him before he passed says how trash of a person he is. On top of that, he’s going on w/ his life like he didn’t help make that child.”
Over on TikTok, similar sentiments were expressed.
“Brian McKnight, I don’t see how anyone supports him. He is just ugh…his whole thing with his son and his other children is just…Brian McKnight just needs to shut up,” said user Terrance Allen.
“Dudes like Brian mcknight is pure b*tches,” said user RealBallerDev21.
He later added, “What kind of father watches their son on their deathbed and just leaves them out to dry. How can you even call yourself a father, doing some goofy sh*t?”
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