Brian McKnight

As an artist who needs no introduction, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 14 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. McKnight is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments including piano, guitar bass, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet.

 

In an industry known for a constantly revolving door of artists, McKnight has easily established himself with an enviable record of chart consistency, has toured successfully for over a decade, and has collaborated with performers across every genre including Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flatts, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Willie Nelson and Kenny G.

 

Born in Buffalo, New York, Brian’s musical career began in childhood when he became a member of his church, NY choir and a bandleader for his high school, Sweet Home High School.  By the age of 19, he signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records subsidiary, Wing Records. In 1992, his self-titled album Brian McKnight was released followed by I Remember You (1995) and Anytime (1997).  Anytime sold over two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, McKnight released Back at One on Motown Records, which sold over three million copies.

 

Along with several Grammy nominations, Brian McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year.

 

2011 saw the release of Brian's 14th album, entitled Just Me, along with a worldwide tour and live DVD. Brian made it a family affair and was joined on tour by his brother Claude McKnight and sons BJ and Niko also known as "BRKN RBTZ" (broken robots), for what has been spectacular one-of-a kind show.

 

In 2012 Brian and his sons started their own record label; Trif3cta Records. Brian is looking to create a haven for true singer songwriters and artists who want to have control not only in their music, but in the careers in general. Brian and his sons are also producing other artists under the name “C.A.T.S” (an acronym for Care About The Sound).

 

Active on Twitter (@itsbmcknight) Brian has, by request, started posted tutorials on his YouTube channel (BMcKnight23) to teach aspiring musicians many of his most popular songs.