Brian McKnight’s son Niko dies at 32 after cancer battle

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Cole Nikolas McKnight, affectionately known as Niko and the estranged son of R&B singer Brian McKnight, has passed away after a two year cancer battle.

He was 32.

Niko McKnight’s mother and uncle shared the news

On Friday, May 30, his uncle, Claude McKnight and his mother, Julie, confirmed his passing in a statement where they spoke to Niko’s legacy.

“It is with profound sadness that Julie McKnight and family announce the passing of her beloved son Cole Nikolas McKnight, affectionately known as ‘Niko’ on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Nikolas was a cherished husband, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and nephew whose warmth, laughter, and love touched the lives of all who knew him. Nikolas was a self taught artist of music and photography. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and all those who held him dear,” the statement read.

Claude first broke the news on TikTok. “This morning I found out that my nephew, Niko McKnight, passed away. He’d been bravely battling cancer for the past two years or so,” he said.

He spoke on Niko’s many talents as a fellow musician and photographer. “Niko was one of those amazing kids quirky, and curious and ridiculously talented. Amazing singer, amazing guitar player. Had a great eye as a photographer. And one of those kids, at least in my estimation, that you always wanted to be around and so it really sucks that he’s no longer with us,” Claude continued.

Reported “family drama”

The 62-year-old didn’t want news of Niko’s death to overshadowed by the family drama and urged fans to focus on positivity.

“I wanted to post this about Niko, about his legacy, about how amazing he is, not about what some of you may have heard about family drama that has existed for quite some time, in our family,” Claude noted. “I don’t know exactly what was going on there, I know what I’ve seen. I know what I’ve heard from all parties involved…a lot of things didn’t get resolved.”

Claude concluded, “I know that kid had a lot inside, a lot eating at him for a long, long time. I may have contributed to what happened with him, what I do know is he’s out of pain now. I just want to uplift that young man.”

Estranged relationship with father Brian McKnight

Niko was a talented singer, guitarist, and photographer. As he grew up, Niko and his older brother Brian Jr. occasionally appeared in public with their father and performed together as part of their musical group, MCKNIGHT.

Since then, Brian, 55, has spoken publicly about his strained relationship with his older children—he has seven in total, including two stepchildren—and addressed the estrangement in 2019.

At the time, he emphasized that he had supported his children throughout their lives, stating, “I’ve been there for my children every step of the way until recently,” and adding, “I’m not abandoning them. We’re estranged.”

In April of last year, Brian — who’s now married to wife Leilani, with whom he welcomed two children — called his four eldest kids (including his daughter Briana and son Clyde), a “product of sin.”

“In order to live a life that you love, you have to get rid of the evil and the negativity — even if that evil and negativity is related [to you],” he said in an Instagram video.

Niko McKnight’s cancer diagnosis

In January 2024, Niko revealed his cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post.

“Your boy got the big C • it’s beeen one hell of a ride so far but things are looking better now than they were before so cheers to that. shout out to everyone in my corner and a super shoutout to my wife @phoenixelbow for saving my life (that’s a story for another day) let’s keep this momentum going and keep one prayer in the chamber for me yall. s—s gonna get better, i know it. also, don’t treat me different. i need looooove at all times.”

In December, he shared on Instagram that he had been “feeling the best I’ve felt since coming home from the hospital last year.”

“Am I anxious? Well, yeah sure. I don’t think that’s ever going away. But I’m finally sleeping a full night again. I’m eating without PTSD. It’s amazing. I didn’t eat a single thing for 3 months straight. Surviving on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) for that long does something to you. But now I feel like I can see the light from the other side of the woods. Not out of them yet. But it’s looking pretty good so far. 🌋 SIDENOTE! If anybody has any routines for acne, please drop it below. New medicine is doing me dirty. S— is getting out of hand so here’s some photos of the old me 🙂‍↔️ (about a month ago lol),” he wrote.

Unheard Voices sends our condolences to Niko McKnight’s family and loved ones.