Brian McKnight

Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. (born Brian Kelly McKnight; June 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, radio host, and multi-instrumentalist. An R&B performer, he is most recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and melisma.

His first hit song was released in 1993 titled "One Last Cry", which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same year, he recorded a duet with Vanessa Williams titled "Love Is" for the Beverly Hills, 90210 soundtrack, which peaked at number 3 on the Hot 100. The former song emerged from his eponymous debut album released the year prior, which received platinum certification from the RIAA. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he would find modest success with his subsequent releases, albeit his furthest with the albums Anytime (1997), Back at One (1999), and Gemini (2005).

His work has earned him 16 Grammy Award nominations, third only to Zubin Mehta and Snoop Dogg for the record of most Grammy nominations without a win.