The controversy surrounding Brian McKnight and his family drama recently reached a new level of craziness when his concert in Detroit was canceled. The intense backlash to the R&B singer’s planned appearance demonstrated that people still have issues with his treatment of his older biological children.
In a recent Instagram post, the “Back at One” artist called his older biological children “evil” and a “product of sin.” Since then, he has found himself on the receiving end of criticism for making his family’s issues so public and insulting his children in this way.
In response to his comments, on Monday, comedian Rickey Smiley took to Instagram to show his support for the singer’s older children, saying in a video, “I just wanna say to Brian McKnight kids — to all of his kids — the ones that he said that’s born in evil, born out of evil, whatever he claims or whatever...that you have a lot of support out here.”
According to PEOPLE, this prompted singer/actor Tyrese Gibson to respond with an Instagram Story in which he defended McKnight.
“There have been specific things done over the years that are nobody’s business that has contributed to where they are,” he said. “Kids out here be going above and beyond to cross you.”
“What I am talking about is I feel like it is not fair to act as if relationships between men and their children…can’t fall apart,” the “Fast & Furious” star continued.
On Tuesday, the “Anytime” singer’s son, Niko McKnight — who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer— responded to Tyrese’s post with his own Instagram Story in which he told the “Sweet Lady” crooner to “sit this one out.”
“Tyrese used to sleep under our pool table when I was a kid,” Niko wrote. “I know the 90s RnB brotherhood blood is thicker than anything but you should sit this one out champ. You have relationships to fix with your own children and your own past decisions you’ve made on behalf of p***y and power.”
“The allegiance to those two things is what keeps you guys from seeing that the only thing that matters in the end is family. Real men can see past the bullshit. Let me stop though. This 46-hr chemo infusion has me ready to fade Jody. That’s not right. Peace and Prosperity.”
More than anything, it’s just sad that Niko can’t focus on healing because his father’s drama keeps coming back up. As reprehensible as Brian McKnight’s original comments are, it’s time for everyone to take a step back from this family’s issues and let them handle it privately.