Brian McKnight is an American R&B singer, songwriter, producer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist. He has received 16 Grammy Award nominations and is known for his smash hits, Anytime and Back at One.
The New York native’s wide vocal range and immense musical knowledge have led him to have a long, lucrative career as an R&B artist. And, if taking over one industry wasn’t enough, McKnight also carved out a notable career as a television actor with several guest appearances on shows, such as Sister, Sister, Beverly Hills 90210, and Atlanta.
Brian McKnight Net Worth
Brian McKnight’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2023. His net worth is the result of his successful career spanning nearly three decades in the music industry.
He has released over fifteen studio albums, sold millions of records worldwide, and has performed in countless concerts and festivals around the world.
In addition to his music career, Brian McKnight’s fame led him to be endorsed by several large brands. He has been a spokesperson for various companies, such as McDonald’s, Pepsi, and NBA teams.
Continue reading to learn all you need to know about Brian McKnight’s annual income, early life, personal life, career, awards, and investments.
Brian McKnight’s Net Worth Annually
Brian McKnight’s annual income varies from year to year, depending on his music sales, touring, and other sources of revenue. The most recent report of the musician’s annual income was in 2021, stating he earned $1.5 million that year.
While Brian McKnight’s exact annual income is unknown, it is known that his fee range per appearance is $75,000 to $150,000.
His largest source of income has always been his record sales. Of his top 4 records, Brian McKnight (self-titled), I Remember You, Anytime, and Back at One, the artist sold 1 million, 500 thousand, 2 million, and 3 million copies respectively. These albums grossed, in sales alone, a combined $9.75 million.
Given his consistent yearly income streams, including sales and performances, McKnight’s annual income is easily around $1.5 million.
How Did Brian McKnight Get Rich?
Music sales have been the most significant source of income for Brian McKnight throughout his career. He has released over fifteen studio albums and sold millions of copies globally.
Some of his most successful albums include “Back at One,” went platinum several times over, and “U-Turn,” which ended up selling over 500,000 copies in the United States alone. Turning a profit of up to $750,000 each in the U.S.
McKnight has also had great success with individual songs. His hit song “Back at One” was a top ten hit in several countries and has been covered by numerous other artists. He has also had success with other singles, including “Anytime,” “Love Is,” and “6, 8, 12,” among others.
Touring is another source of income for Brian McKnight. He has performed in several concerts and festivals around the world over the decades, with his live performances having been well-received by fans and critics alike. He has continued to tour extensively, performing at venues ranging from intimate clubs to large arenas.
He’s also endorsed products in the technology industry, such as Bose speakers and Sonos sound systems. While the exact amount of money he earned from endorsements deals is not public information, they have without a doubt contributed heavily to his overall net worth.
Brian McKnight has also made successful investments, particularly in the real estate industry. He famously listed and sold his home in Chatsworth for $1.8 million, profiting nearly 40% on the sale.
Another source of income for Brian McKnight is his role as a television actor, appearing in guest roles on Living Single, The Eric Andre Show, and Martin. He’s consistently starred in popular television programs from 1998 through 2022 and shows no signs of stopping.
Brian McKnight Wiki & Biography
Brian McKnight was born June 5, 1969, in Buffalo, New York to Claude McKnight Jr. and Ruth Elaine Willis. 54 years old as of May 2023. He joined his church choir as a child, beginning his involvement in music as early as possible. His family was very musical, and even his choir was led by his grandfather!
He explored many different types of music before beginning to compose his own instrumental material in his early teens. He soon started performing original songs at local venues with the help of his band.
McKnight was offered a deal at the age of 18, prompting him to leave college to release his first album with his band, Take 6. Reprise Records, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers, produced their album in 1987, and by 1988 McKnight has signed with Mercury Records to record his own solo album.
| Full Name/Real Name: | Brian Kelly McKnight |
| Nick Name/Stage Name: | Brian McKnight |
| Birth Place: | Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Birthday: | June 5, 1969 |
| Zodiac Sign: | Gemini |
| Age(How Old): | 54 |
| Weight: | 190 pounds (86 kg) |
| Height(How Tall): | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 cm) |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Husband: |
|
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Parent’s Name: | Father: Claude McKnight
Mother: Ruth Elaine McKnight |
| Kids/Children Name: | Brian Jr. McKnight, Niko McKnight, Brianna McKnight, Clyde McKnight, Kekaoa McKnight |
| Siblings: | Brother (s): Claude V. McKnight III |
| College: | Oakwood College (no degree) |
| Profession: | Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, actor, producer |
| Social Media Accounts: |
Career, Songs And Awards
Brian McKnight’s career has been blessed by countless incredible highlights. Firstly, his self-titled debut album had two top twenty R&B hits, “One Last Cry” and “Love Is,” singlehandedly establishing the new artist as a rising star in the R&B world.
He continued to release successful albums throughout the 90s, including “I Remember You,” “Anytime,” and “Back at One,” which all went platinum several times over and solidified his status as an R&B superstar.
In 2017, he released another smash hit album Genesis, which featured tracks such as Everything, Forever, and I Want You. It was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Album, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Mary J Blige.
McKnight is also known for his impressive work as a producer and songwriter. He has written and produced hits for countless other successful artists, including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Mariah Carey. His song “Used to Be My Girl” was a top ten hit for the group New Edition, and he has even worked with Quincy Jones, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown.
Brian McKnight has been honored with numerous awards and accolades from the music community throughout his career. He has been nominated for sixteen Grammy Awards. In addition to his Grammy noms, he has won American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, and NAACP Image Awards, and has been nominated for BET and American Music Awards.
Personal Life
Brian McKnight has been married twice. He married his first wife, Julie McKnight, in 1990, but they divorced in 2003. The couple had 4 children together.
He married his second wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza, in 2017. They had two children together, however, tragically passed away at birth.
Brian McKnight has managed to avoid any significant scandals throughout his career. However, in 2020, he faced backlash on social media after posting a video of himself singing a sexually suggestive song that he had written. Some fans criticized him for the inappropriate nature of the song, and McKnight later apologized for the video.
Investments And Endorsements
In addition to his music career, McKnight has made some clever real estate investments. Most notably, the sale of his home in Chatsworth, Georgia turned a significant profit.
Brian McKnight has also been invited to participate in several endorsements throughout his career. He’s served as a spokesperson for various brands, including the NBA, McDonald’s, and Pepsi. He’s also endorsed products in the technology industry, including Bose speakers and Sonos sound systems.
FAQ
How many instruments does Brian McKnight play?
McKnight plays piano, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, trombone, tuba, and trumpet. The oddest instrument he plays is the flugelhorn. These are just 8 of the instruments he plays professionally.
What makes Brian McKnight’s voice unique?
He is one of the only leggiero tenors in the pop genre, a lightweight, tenor voice type. You can hear it best when he enters into his strong falsetto voice.
When did McKnight sign with Motown?
Motown finally signed McKnight in 1998, just ahead of the release of his biggest album to date, Back at One. The album sold an incredible 3 million copies.
Where else has Brian McKnight been seen performing?
McKnight has made 2 noteworthy appearances outside of concert halls and festivals. He made his Broadway debut in 2007 in the musical Chicago. Around the same time, he hosted his own radio show, The Brian McKnight Morning Show, in Los Angeles. The show lasted 4 years, until 2010.
What is Brian McKnight’s religion?
McKnight is a practicing Seventh-day Adventist. He is the fifth generation of his family to practice the faith.
