Nationwide — Niko McKnight, the son of R&B singer Brian McKnight and his ex-wife Julie, has died at the age of 33 following a two-year battle with cancer. The news was confirmed on Friday, May 30, by Brian’s brother, Claude, who shared an emotional video tribute on TikTok. While acknowledging the family’s well-known estrangement, Claude asked the public to approach Niko’s death with love rather than judgment.
People reports a heartfelt three-minute video filmed from his car, Claude described his nephew as a talented and vibrant individual who was “quirky, curious, and ridiculously gifted.” Niko was not only a skilled guitarist and singer but also had an eye for photography. Claude explained that while he doesn’t usually post about personal tragedies, he felt compelled to honor Niko’s legacy and spirit.
Niko had spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis in January 2024, sharing his experience and recovery journey on Instagram. He credited his wife, Phoenix, for helping to save his life and maintained optimism throughout his treatment. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Niko remained hopeful, writing, “S—s gonna get better, I know it.”
Claude did not go into detail about the longstanding rift between Brian McKnight and his older children but acknowledged the pain within the family. “There’s so much hurt going on… a lot of things didn’t get resolved,” he said, adding that he carries his own regrets about the situation. He concluded the video with a tearful goodbye: “He’s out of pain now… I love you, Niko.”
Niko and his older brother Brian Jr. once performed alongside their father in the short-lived family music group MCKNIGHT. However, by 2019, Brian McKnight publicly addressed his estrangement from his children, saying, “I’m not abandoning them. We’re estranged.” The rift deepened in recent years, with Brian controversially referring to his older children as a “product of sin” in a 2023 Instagram video.
Despite the tension, Niko remained active and positive on social media, sharing updates about his health and encouraging followers not to treat him differently. In a December 2024 post, he said he was “finally sleeping a full night again” and beginning to feel hopeful after a long and painful recovery. “It’s looking pretty good so far,” he wrote.