Brian Mcknight has introduced his newborn son to the world in an Instagram post! The musician, who has four older kids, also shared that he has legally changed his name to “match my legacy’s”.
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“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,” he wrote on Instagram.
McKnight aslo revealed in his announcement that he has dedicated a brand new album to his beloved baby boy. “MCKNIGHTtime LULLABIES” the songs of a father to his namesake available now!”
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This news comes after the singer and songwriter faced public scrutiny earlier this year for not acknowledging his biological children from previous relationships, while praising his stepchildren. In reality, Brian has five children of his own, including Brian Jr., Briana, Clyde and Nikko McKnight.
In a post in May, Brian took the opportunity to address these concerns and set the record straight.
“I want to address the abandonment issues for the last time,” Brian began his message. “Those kids and I have had a long history of conflicts, mutual estrangements, and resolutions,” the recording artist said of his older children.
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“But there was a time when we were truly a successfully blended family,” McKnight shared. “Julia, Jack, BJ, Nico, and Brianna. Our home was filled with love and acceptance so much that the kids were all calling each other siblings contrary to the picture that’s been online,” the celebrity father revealed. “Christmases, birthdays, Thanksgivings, friendsgivings, all spent together.”
The point of conflict between Brian McKnight and his older children reportedly came after the recording artist wed his second wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza.
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“Shortly thereafter, the same conflict over money arose again,” Brian said in his video message. “We parted ways and, the next thing I knew, there were two posts from Brian and Brianna in 2019 telling the world a completely different narrative [of] the reason why [we parted ways],” the celebrity father shared of his kids’ actions.
“I never abandoned anyone,” Brian assured his supporters and critics. “Our estrangement was mutual,” he added. “But those posts made any roads towards reconciliation and acknowledging them a dead issue. And I changed my will the next day.”
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Leilani and Brian McKnight welcomed a son in January. The couple decided to name the little one Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight, which ruffled a few feathers. Some critics pointed out the singer’s oldest son, Brian McKnight Jr., carrying his father’s name. Brian Sr., however, stood behind his decision to name his youngest son after him as well during his video message.
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“I’ve spent the last 30 years building a recognized, respectable name. And ironically, there are still people out there who are trying to smear my name while still carrying it hoping to use it for their own benefit,” the recording artist said.
“I make absolutely no apologies for naming my infant son Brian,” the celebrity father continued. “I wanted him and the world to know that he is the one who is my true legacy.”
