Brian McKnight is an R&B singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to fame in the 1990s. He quickly became known for his smooth vocal style and romantic ballads like “Back at One” and “Anytime.” At his peak, McKnight was one of the most popular R&B artists around. So it’s natural for fans to wonder – is Brian McKnight still performing today?
Quick Overview of Brian McKnight’s Career
Brian McKnight got his start in the late 80s singing backup for artists like Vanessa Williams and Eddie Murphy. He signed his first record deal with Mercury Records in 1992 and released his self-titled debut album that same year.
McKnight’s debut album was a modest success, producing three top 40 R&B hits including “One Last Cry.” His breakthrough came with his second album in 1995 titled I Remember You. The lead single “Anytime” reached #1 on the R&B charts and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. I Remember You eventually went on to sell over 2 million copies.
Over the next decade, McKnight released several more successful albums and established himself as one of the premier artists in R&B music. He released a holiday album, an album of covers, and collaborated with high profile artists like Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, and Rascal Flatts.
Some key highlights from McKnight’s career include:
– 16 Grammy nominations, never a win
– Over 30 charted singles including 16 top 10 R&B hits
– 4 multiplatinum albums including Anytime (3x platinum) and Back at One (5x platinum)
– Over 20 million albums sold worldwide
So in summary, Brian McKnight rose to fame as an R&B crooner in the 90s and had an incredibly successful run that lasted over a decade. But what about recently? Is he still actively performing and recording music today?
Brian McKnight’s Activity in the Late 2000s and 2010s
Even after his commercial peak in the late 90s/early 2000s, Brian McKnight has continued to release new music and tour. Here are some key details on his activity over the past 15 years:
– In 2007, he released his 10th studio album Ten which included the top 20 R&B hit “What’s My Name”
– His album Evolution of a Man was released in 2009 and nominated for a Grammy
– He signed with E1 Music in 2010 and released Just Me later that year
– In 2011, he recorded a duet album titled Just Me and You with his brother Claude McKnight
– McKnight released his 13th studio album More Than Words in 2013 which included a collaboration with country band Rascal Flatts
– In 2016, he released his first live album as well as a holiday album
– His most recent studio album was 2018’s Genesis which was funded through a Kickstarter campaign
So in the late 2000s and 2010s, McKnight continued to put out new music about once every 2-3 years. He incorporated more adult contemporary pop sounds into albums like Just Me and Genesis, while collaborating with artists from other genres like country.
While his album sales decreased from his 90s heyday, McKnight has proven he can still deliver Billboard charting singles as a veteran artist. For example, “Sweeter” from 2013’s More Than Words reached #28 on the Adult R&B chart. And at age 58, McKnight continues to actively tour and perform around the world.
Brian McKnight’s Concerts and Performances in the 2020s
In the 2020s, Brian McKnight has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to performing live. According to his official website, he has tour dates scheduled well into 2023.
Here is an overview of his recent and upcoming concerts and live performances:
| Year | Tour/Show Details |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Asmost 20 shows as part of the Maxwell + Friends Tour alongside artists like Joe and Brandy |
| 2021 | – Spring leg of Maxwell + Friends Tour – Fall headlining tour across Northeast US and Canada |
| 2022 | – Co-headlining tour with fellow R&B acts En Vogue and SWV – Solo tour dates including shows in Australia |
| 2023 | – Upcoming dates scheduled in U.S., U.K., and the Philippines – More tour dates likely to be added |
In 2020 and 2021, McKnight joined his longtime friend Maxwell on a reimagined version of Maxwell’s tour. While the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on live events for a time, McKnight was back out on the road with his own headlining shows as soon as it was safe.
His 2022 tour with En Vogue and SWV was dubbed the R&B Superstars Tour and hit major venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. And at 61 years old, McKnight is still actively touring worldwide. He has dozens of shows on the books for 2023 with more likely to be announced soon.
Recent Interviews Show McKnight Still Passionate About Performing
In recent interviews over the past couple years, Brian McKnight has made it clear he still has a passion for making music at this point in his career.
In [an interview with Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/brian-mcknight-new-album-interview-1235023959/) in 2021, McKnight shared:
>“Performing live—that’s never gone away for me. The whole idea of stepping onto the stage to this day still excites me and motivates me.”
He went on to say:
>”Retiring is not anything I’ve thought about. If I’m not making music of some kind, then I’m not living my best life.”
Similarly, in [a 2022 interview with Grammy.com](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/brian-mcknight-talks-new-christmas-album-and-reflects-his-career), McKnight reiterated his love of performing live:
>“I want to continue touring, that’s what I enjoy the most. Being out, singing songs, and seeing the impact it has on people.”
He also shared that he has songs written that go all the way back to the start of his career in the early 90s. McKnight says he still plans to record them and continue releasing new music.
So in McKnight’s own words, he still has a lot of passion left for writing, recording, and especially performing live. Retirement doesn’t seem to be anywhere in sight for this R&B icon.
McKnight Remains an In-Demand Performer for Events
In addition to his own tour dates, Brian McKnight remains a popular booking for special events and private concerts.
He has performed at high-profile events and fundraisers over the past few years including:
– Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage in 2021
– Walmart Associates Concert in 2021
– Events for companies like Microsoft and McDonald’s
– Private weddings, parties, and corporate events
In [an interview with Billboard in late 2022](https://www.billboard.com/business/talent/brian-mcknight-on-being-a-wedding-singer-exclusive-interview-1235098439/), McKnight shared details on still being an in-demand performer for weddings and private shows. He said:
>“I probably do between 70 and 80 private gigs a year…I make people’s moments special for them. I’m still amazed at the songs people tell me got them through moments in their lives.”
So even with his own touring schedule, McKnight stays very busy as a hireable performer for corporate clients and private events. His ongoing popularity for special shows further demonstrates he is far from retiring anytime soon.
Recent Releases Show McKnight Still Making New Music
If there was any doubt about Brian McKnight still being actively involved in music, his recent output should erase that. He continues to record and release new songs and albums.
Some of McKnight’s more recent music projects over the last few years include:
– Christmas album My Gift to You in 2020
– Single “When I’m Gone” in 2021
– Exodus album in 2022 with sons BJ and Niko
– Single “Way Too Many” featuring son Niko in 2022
– Released a live album and video from his London concert in 2022
– Active on TikTok, gaining over 500K followers and uses platform to tease new music
The Exodus album allowed McKnight to collaborate directly with his sons who are aspiring artists themselves. And the “Way Too Many” single marked the first time he released a song featuring son Niko.
McKnight stays engaged with modern platforms like TikTok as another outlet to connect with fans in new ways. He often posts behind-the-scenes looks at his tour and studio life.
Overall, these recent projects demonstrate that even at 61 years old, McKnight is still very actively creating music – whether on his own or with his talented sons by his side. Retirement or slowing down creatively doesn’t seem to be in his plans.
McKnight Seen as an Enduring Legend of R&B Music
It’s clear Brian McKnight loves performing and is still very engaged in making new music in his 60s. Another sign that he’s far from “retired” is the way McKnight is viewed as an enduring icon of R&B music.
Younger artists still look up to McKnight and see him as a legend. For example, Bruno Mars [has mentioned](https://www.essence.com/celebrity/brian-mcknight-reacts-bruno-mars-calling-him-a-legend/) how the vocalist inspired him growing up:
>”The way Brian McKnight tells a story, and the melodies that he comes up with…it’s timeless music.”
Other artists like Tank and Ro James have also cited McKnight as an influence on their own music.
In the streaming era, McKnight’s hits from the 90s live on and have found a new audience. His song “Back at One” has over 200 million streams on Spotify as a testament to its timeless appeal.
McKnight himself was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2019, showing his enduring status as a legend.
With younger artists still looking up to him and his back catalog streamed heavily online, it’s clear McKnight is far from a “nostalgia act” only living off past hits. He remains an active, current player in R&B at over 60 years old.
Upcoming 2023 Projects Show No Signs of Slowing Down
If Brian McKnight had any plans to retire, his schedule for 2023 seems to contradict that. He has tour dates booked well into the new year along with a few other projects in the works.
In a [recent interview with Billboard](https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/brian-mcknight-on-not-slowing-down-at-61-new-christmas-album-interview-1235098010/), McKnight outlined some of his upcoming plans:
– Releasing a new Christmas album in 2023, potentially collaborating again with sons BJ and Niko
– Touring the U.S. as well as concerts planned for Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia
– Recording a live DVD during one of his international shows next year
– Open to acting roles and recently did a cameo appearance on the TV show Abbott Elementary
Even in his early 60s, McKnight is thinking about releasing new music, extensive touring, and branching out into acting. Hardly the schedule of someone looking to retire and slow down their career!
In that same interview McKnight stated about his work ethic going forward:
>”I feel like all I’ve worked for my entire career has led me to this point where I can work because I want to. So as long as I’m healthy, have opportunities and remain inspired – why stop?”
Judging by McKnight’s packed 2023 schedule at age 61, he seems poised to keep performing and recording new music for years to come.
Conclusion
Brian McKnight rose to popularity as an R&B crooner in the 90s with hit ballads like “Back at One” and established himself as a premier artist in the genre. While his record sales peaked during that decade, he has continued to release music and tour consistently over the past 15+ years.
McKnight still actively performs concerts across the U.S. and worldwide, often collaborating with other artists. He remains passionate about writing new material and singing live in his 60s. Major tours, surprise singles, and special performances are still commonplace for him.
With younger R&B singers like Bruno Mars calling him a legend, and his catalog streamed heavily online, McKnight is far from just a nostalgia act. He remains an active, contemporary figure in the R&B world who plans to keep performing and recording new music as long as he’s inspired.
Given his packed tour schedule, upcoming album plans, and passion for entertaining – Brian McKnight is definitely still performing and shows no signs of retirement anytime soon.