AceShowbiz - Brian McKnight, the 54-year-old Grammy-nominated R&B legend, is facing intense criticism for his comments regarding his four eldest biological children. In a recent Instagram Q&A session, McKnight stated that he no longer claims these children - Brian Jr., Niko, Briana, and Clyde - because they are "the product of sin."

McKnight's comments sparked outrage among fans and followers. One fan defended his decision, writing, "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]." McKnight responded by saying, "I wanna big up my man right here. He gets it."

However, other fans challenged McKnight's stance, but he fired back, "God wasn't talking about children that are the product of sin which these are 2. I didn't raise them their mothers did 3. Know the whole story before quoting the Bible 4. Take your inaccurate negativity off my page and try being happy."

McKnight has been estranged from his four eldest children for years. In 2019, he referred to them as "entitled" in a video he shared online.

McKnight is now married to Leilani Mendoza and has a newborn son with her. He refers to his stepchildren, Julie and Jack, and his infant son as his only children.

In October 2023, he changed his name to become a senior after naming his baby with Mendoza, Brian 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," he introduced his youngest offspring.

He was soon blasted by fans for his move for dismissing his eldest son, who is also named Brian Jr.