R&B singer Brian McKnight is facing boycotts from fans outraged over the disparaging remarks he has made about his older biological children. Fans are refusing to attend McKnight’s upcoming concert in Detroit on June 9th at Sound Board in response to the 54-year-old artist calling his children from previous relationships a “product of sin” and “evil.”
The backlash erupted after McKnight, who belongs to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, made the controversial statements during a live social media interaction with fans. He stated he didn’t acknowledge his daughter Briana because she was “illegitimate.”
McKnight also reportedly refused to tell his son Niko, who was battling cancer earlier this year, that he loved him. The “Back at One” singer claimed he tried providing financial assistance but was deterred by a “hostile” call from his ex-wife.
“I can only imagine that if that help came from me, that it would go against the strong narrative that’s being pushed out there about me,” he stated. “So what are we doing? We’re adhering to her wishes because that’s what she wanted, and we’re staying out of it.”
When the Detroit venue promoted McKnight’s show on Facebook, fans swiftly rejected him in the comments. “Wouldn’t even go for free,” one user stated, while another wrote “Sir, absolutely not” alongside a “Hell Naw” gif.
Some suggested McKnight should make amends by bringing his children, with one commenting “Tell him bring his kids and we might come.” Others mocked the situation, like one fan joking “I Know good n hell well this ain’t Father’s Day weekend is it?”
Fans argued McKnight has cancelled himself by mistreating his kids, with one stating “Nah… he needs to start back at ONE and put his KIDS first. I’m good.” Another echoed “Brian canceled himself once he canceled them kids.”
In April, Niko revealed disturbing details about his childhood, alleging McKnight once made him clean used condoms at age 15 before his stepmother arrived home.
As controversy mounts, McKnight faces an uphill battle regaining fan support unless he takes accountability and reconciles with his estranged children.