Brian McKnight Jr. Claims Estranged Dad Refused to Say “I Love You” to Son Niko Before His Death

Brian McKnight Jr. opened up about a heartbreaking moment with his late brother, Niko, revealing that their father, Brian McKnight, refused to say “I love you” as Niko faced a battle with cancer.

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In a recent interview with Marc Lamont Hill, Brian Jr described the day his brother called him, sobbing and confronting death, only to hear their father respond:

“I can’t arbitrarily say that I love you.”

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The R&B star’s family struggles have been public for years, with the ‘At One’ singer previously distancing himself from his estranged children, citing them as the “product of sin.” Niko, who tragically passed away in May 2025, according to an insider, told Page Six that he received no contact from his father before his death.

Brian Jr. criticized the lack of support, highlighting the pain of watching a sibling seek love and reassurance that was never offered. The family dynamics remain tense, with conflicting statements from both sides about past interactions and legal disputes.