Brian McKnight continues to distance himself from his Black family. First, the R&B crooner angered his fans by disowning his three oldest children. Now Brian has changed his name to match his youngest son with his current wife.
McKnight has 5 children — sons Brian Jr. (left) and Niko (2nd from right) from his first marriage to college sweetheart Julie McKnight (pictured). He also has a daughter, Briana, from a previous relationship, and 2 sons by his current wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza. Their first son died shortly after birth in 2022.
The singer/songwriter faced backlash for naming his youngest son Brian McKnight when he already named his oldest son Brian McKnight Jr.
Now Brian has changed his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. to match his youngest son: Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Jr.
Now his eldest son (pictured left with Brian and Niko) is officially no longer a junior.
Brian shared his youngest son’s new name in an Instagram post promoting his new album:
“So proud to introduce our son BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA JR. to the world with the release of my new album lovingly created for him.
JR. because I am also proud to officially announce that I have legally changed my name to exactly match my legacy’s.
My legal name is now BRIAN KAINOA MAKOA MCKNIGHT SR.”
According to Rhymeswithsnitch.com, back in June, Brian McKnight Jr., announced he would not change his name because his own son is named Brian McKnight III.
“First of all, I love my name,” Brian Jr. said in a video. I appreciate my name, I appreciate my lineage. I appreciate where my name comes from, and it’s also my son’s name. So, I just in my heart feel like I would give off such an incredibly wrong message and example for my son when it comes to loving his name and what his legacy could be if I changed my name just because of what my father did. I will always be Brian McKnight Jr.”
Watch the video below.
