Brian McKnight blasts ‘tasteless’ brother for revealing his estranged son Niko’s death: It ‘turned into a circus’

Brian McKnight blasted his “tasteless” brother Claude McKnight for publicly announcing the singer’s son had died from cancer.

“A big big thanks to Claude McKnight’s tasteless and self aggrandizing announcement on TikTok, that frankly was not his to make,” the singer wrote on Instagram Tuesday night.

“In my opinion, he inserted himself and used [Cole ‘Niko’ McKnight]’s death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity,” he added.

“It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama.”

Page Six has reached out to Claude for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Last Friday, the Take 6 founder took to TikTok to announce that his nephew had died on May 29. He was 32.

“This morning I found out that my nephew Niko McKnight passed away. He’d been bravely battling cancer for the past two years or so,” the 62-year-old said in the clip.

“Niko was one of those amazing kids — quirky and curious and ridiculously talented. Amazing singer, amazing guitar player. Had a great eye as a photographer. And one of those kids, at least in my estimation, that you always wanted to be around and so it really sucks that he’s no longer with us,” Claude remembered.

Later that day, Niko’s mom, Julie McKnight, was forced to confirm the heartbreaking news in an Instagram statement before asking for privacy and “continued prayers as the family navigates this incredibly difficult time.”

A source close to Niko’s family exclusively tells Page Six that Claude was “out of order” for publicly sharing that his nephew had died.

“Claude didn’t ask anyone, especially Niko’s wife, to announce the passing,” the insider further claims.

Despite his outrage following the aspiring photographer’s death, Brian and his son had been estranged.

An insider told Page Six earlier this month that the “Back at One” singer, 55, “did not contact or see Niko” while he was still alive. They also claimed he “has not reached out to the family” after his son’s passing.

The source added that Niko “was surrounded by an abundance of love and support from those who truly mattered,” including his mother, Julie, his older brother, Brian McKnight Jr., his wife, Carla, and other extended family members.

While Brian did not make amends with Niko before his death, the R&B crooner claimed he and his wife, Leilani Mendoza, their toddler son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., and her two other kids “flew home to Maui and had a private memorial remembering him, and all the good times.”

The 17-time Grammy nominee wrote on Instagram Tuesday that the last time he and Niko spoke, he and his wife “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.”

However, Brian claimed that Niko’s mom, Julie, “declined.”

“The door of communication was open and remained open until his death,” he wrote. “To the self proclaimed ‘mama bear’ may God have mercy on your soul for not allowing him to accept that help and not allowing him to use that line of communication.”

The musician said he and Mendoza, whom he wed in December 2017, and their kids are “eternally thankful to Almighty God” that Niko’s “suffering has come to an end and grateful for all of your condolences.”

Brian — who shares sons Brian Jr. and Niko with Julie; daughter Briana with ex Patricia Driver; and son Clyde with an unidentified woman — has had an estranged relationship with his eldest four children for the last few years.

In October 2023, he announced that he had legally changed his name to become a senior to his then-newborn son, whom he shares with Mendoza — although he had already been a senior to his eldest son, Brian Jr.

The following year, Brian claimed his estranged eldest children were the “product of sin.”