Brian McKnight slammed for calling his biological children ‘evil’ and ‘products of sin’ after praising his stepdaughter… amid bitter family feud

Brian McKnight faced backlash after calling his biological children “evil” and “products of sin.”

The 54-year-old R&B singer addressed a fan who supported his choice to publicly disown his four eldest children – Brian Jr., Niko, Briana and Clyde – raising concerns about the presence of “pure evil” during a recent rally ‘ among some family members. Q&A on Instagram.

McKnight expressed his appreciation for the fan’s comment, saying, “I want to make my man bigger here. He gets it.’

He added, “To live a life you love, you need to get rid of evil and negativity – even if that evil and negativity are related. [to you].’

After another fan claimed the singer was “going against God,” McKnight responded, “God wasn’t talking about children being the products of sin like these are.”

Fans were quick to condemn the Grammy-nominated artist, with one posting: ‘This is VERY dirty work. God, what the hell blasphemous evil father?’

Another said: ‘Every time Brian McKnight becomes popular I want to cry because I loved this man’s music. But SMH, I can’t support it anymore.

‘Not everyone is born to married parents, but should he call these children ‘products of sin’? Sincerely, Apparently a product of sin.’

Last year, McKnight faced backlash for publicly mentioning his sons, Brian Kelly McKnight Jr. and Niko, whom he shares with ex-wife Julie McKnight, had publicly disowned.

He also became estranged from daughter Briana and son Clyde from previous relationships.

When the singer married his current wife, Leilani McKnight, in 2017, he became stepfather to Julia and Jack McPhee.

Their first son together, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr., was born in 2022.

Late last year, McKnight celebrated the achievement of his stepdaughter Julia, who received her master’s degree, sparking renewed discussions about his relationship with his biological children through an Instagram post.

In response, McKnight posted a Weekly Replies video on Instagram this week, calling Julia “my only daughter.”

The family feud came to a head last October when McKnight was criticized for changing his name to become a senior to his newborn son Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr. – although he was already a senior to his eldest son, Brian Jr.

The hitmaker made the announcement in an Instagram post that doubled as an album promo, which may have also rubbed some fans the wrong way.

He included a sepia-toned photo of little Brian Jr. and shared the album’s funny title, McKnighttime Lullabies: An Album For My Son.

“So proud to introduce our son… BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA JR. … to the world with the release of my new album, lovingly created for him,” he wrote.

McKnight added that his son used the suffix “JR.” as I am also proud to officially announce that I have legally changed my name to exactly match that of my estate.”

“My legal name is now… BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA MCKNIGHT SR.,” he shared before informing fans that his album was now available.

“MCKNIGHTtime LULLABIES” the songs of a father of his namesake now available!

He used several hashtags, including “iloveourlife,” “babybrian,” “mylegacy,” “junior” and “familyfirst.”

The announcement was condemned by several commentators, ultimately leading McKnight to receive limited responses to the post.

“Family first, huh?” wrote one disapproving person, while others called it “petty” and “a disgusting move.”

A more measured commentator wished him congratulations, but made it clear they thought he was wrong.

“I pray for the peace and healing of your family. Changing your name does not or cannot erase what is already there,” they wrote.

One blunt comment urged him to “grow some balls and reconcile with your firstborn children.”

Another person simply made it clear that he was no longer a fan.

But some people who commented on the post were completely in McKnight’s camp and didn’t find his name change unusual or disturbing at all.

“I love watching you grow into a better person,” one fan wrote. This whole series of you starting over is such a blessing. Congratulations on your new ‘reboot’ legacy of life.”

Another suggested it wasn’t worth it to keep his relationship with his older children strong.

‘Sometimes a man gets tired of fighting. Men just want peace! Leave this man alone!’ they wrote defensively.

McKnight’s eldest son also joined in via his Instagram Stories on Saturday in response to a fan who suggested he should change his own name to sever any connection to his father, according to Page six.

‘I am not ashamed of the name my ancestors had. I will never change the name my own son now has,” McKnight Jr. wrote. “We are witnessing an obscene level of self-loathing that has reached the status of mental illness at this point.

“All we can do is pray for that man, and for my new baby brother, who we will all welcome with open arms one day, once he realizes who his real family is,” he continued.

‘Legacy is not in the name. It is in the character of the people. Soon it will all become very clear who is on the right side, because there is no escaping what is coming.”

In addition to the original Brian Jr. McKnight shares a son Niko from his first marriage to Julie McKnight, which ended in divorce in 2003.

He also has a daughter Briana and son Clyde from previous relationships, and he became the stepfather to his wife Leilani’s son Jack and daughter Julia.

However, the performer seemed to indicate that he no longer considers his older children part of his family.

His Instagram bio lists him as the father of “Julia, Jack, Kekoa Matteo and Brian Kainoa Makoa.”

Kekoa was the intended name for a child McKnight and Leilani lost to a miscarriage in 2022.