‘Back at One’ hitmaker Brian McKnight is firing back at critics who have been slamming him non-stop since the announcement of his estranged son Niko McKnight‘s death from cancer last month.

 

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As has been widely reported, Niko’s mother and uncle (Brian’s brother) – Julie and Claude McKnight – took to their respective social media platforms to announce the artist and photographer succumbed to a battle with cancer on May 30. He was 32.

The announcement only brought back to light Brian’s highly publicized rift with his son – dating back to the elder McKnight publicly referring to his oldest kids, Niko and older brother Brian Jr., as “products of sin” in a social media rant.

And though reports assert Brian Sr. made “no effort” to contact Niko before his death, the 17-time GRAMMY nominee refutes the claim.

“The last time he and I spoke, we 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 . He and his mother declined. The door of communication was open and remained open until his death,” said the singer on Instagram Tuesday night (June 3).

His video address of the drama that’s unfolded in the time since Niko’s passing saw him also take aim at Claude and Julie for how they announced the young McKnight’s death.

“A big big thanks to Claude Mcknight’s tasteless and self aggrandizing announcement on TikTok, that frankly was not his to make, in my opinion, he inserted himself and used Niko’s death as an opportunity, instead of letting him pass with respect and dignity. It has instead turned into a circus, a mockery of a life now lost, making this tragedy into a reality show type drama,” he said before slamming Julie, “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 ‘One Last Cry’ performer closed his lengthy statement with one last address to all the haters.

“There is great comfort in knowing God knows the TRUTH and the totality of the WHOLE story. I am truly thankful for the immense peace God has given me. I’ve left everything in HIS hands. I, have a clear conscience. The only judgement that matters is God’s,” he said before relaying, “My wife, our children and I are eternally thankful to Almighty God that the suffering has come to an end and grateful for all of your condolences. Thanks to those of you have known The truth from the beginning and haven’t let untruths, half truths or slander , prejudice your opinion.”

Ouch! At writing, Brian Jr., Julie, nor Claude has publicly responded to Brian’s comments.

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