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By Bonginkosi Tiwane

Digital Journalist


Brian McKnight’s biological kids don’t seem to be a priority for the RnB crooner

R&B crooner Brian McKnight was dragged on social media after updating his Instagram bio, where he wrote that he is the father of four kids from his current relationship, naming each child in the bio.


RnB crooner Brian McKnight was dragged on social media after updating his Instagram bio, where he wrote that he is the father of four kids from his current relationship, naming each child in the bio.

The issue was that McKinght omitted the names of his four children from his previous relationships.

The 90s music star has had a turbulent relationship with his kids from the previous relationships for a number of years now, with the singer having a number of public spats with his off-springs.

The four kids included in his bio are Julia, Jack, Kekoa Matteo, and newly born Brian Kainoa Makoa. The kids from his previous relationships are Brian Jr, Briana, Niko and Clyde.

The 53-year-old is married to Leilani Mendoza who has three children from a previous relationship and only one child with McKnight, their youngest son, Brian, born in January.

McKnight was previously married to songwriter Julie McKnight from 1990 to 2003. McKnight’s two sons, Brian and Niko, are from that union while he had his daughter, Briana, with his former partner, Patricia Driver.

Things taking a racial turn

What made the story uglier is that things were made racial by netizens. The insinuation created on Twitter and Instagram is that the singer abandoned his kids simply because they are black.

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McKnight’s response

In 2020, McKnight responded to people who’ve criticised the bond he has with his biological kids in a video on Instagram.

“I’ve always been the one to help them achieve any dreams they ever wanted, I guess one of my only faults [is that] I gave my kids everything that I didn’t have, in the hopes that they would appreciate it.”

Not showing love to his daughter

His outspoken affection for his stepdaughter Julia seems to always be juxtaposed with the paucity of affection he shows his fist daughter, Briana. A few months ago on Julia’s birthday, McKnight shared a touching post on Instagram.

“Today we celebrate you Jules on your birthday, your mom and I couldn’t be prouder of you and I couldn’t ask for a better daughter than you!!! Happy birthday to the best daughter ever! Love u a zillion,” wrote McKnight in an Instagram post a few months ago, on the birthday of his step-daughter, where he seemingly gifted her with a luxurious car.

One of McKnight’s followers, @mrs.stepharias commented with a question asking about Briana, his daughter. The comment received over a 1700 likes.

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