R&B singer Brian McKnight has filed a lawsuit against Urban One, Inc., FOXY/WFXC 107.1/104.3, and on-air host Karen Clark alleging defamation and related claims. The case was originally filed in Wake County, North Carolina. It has now been moved to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina following a formal Notice of Removal filed by Urban One.
Two key documents define the current posture of the case: the Amended Complaint and the Notice of Removal.
The Amended Complaint: Allegations Against FOXY 107.1 and Urban One
In the Amended Complaint, McKnight alleges that defamatory statements were broadcast and republished during programming associated with FOXY/WFXC 107.1/104.3 and later through affiliated Urban One programming. The complaint centers on a January 23, 2025 radio broadcast featuring an interview conducted by Karen Clark, publication of that interview on the station’s YouTube channel, and a December 15, 2025 episode of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show podcast that allegedly republished edited content related to McKnight.
According to the filing, statements aired during those broadcasts portrayed McKnight as emotionally abusive, dishonest, harmful to his children, and unfit as a parent. The complaint asserts those statements were presented as factual and distributed over terrestrial radio and digital platforms. McKnight brings four causes of action: defamation; negligent and reckless publication and supervision; vicarious liability/respondeat superior; and punitive damages.
He seeks compensatory damages in excess of $25,000 per claim, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and a jury trial. The complaint further alleges that similar content continued to circulate after defendants were allegedly placed on notice that the claims were disputed. At this stage, these remain allegations contained in the plaintiff’s filing. No court has ruled on the merits.
The Notice of Removal: Why the Case Is Now in Federal Court
On February 20, 2026, Urban One filed a Notice of Removal transferring the case from North Carolina state court to federal court. The move is based on diversity jurisdiction. Under federal law, a case may proceed in federal court if the parties are citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
According to the filing, McKnight is a citizen of Georgia, Urban One is incorporated in Delaware with its principal place of business in Maryland, and the total damages sought exceed $100,000 when aggregated.
Urban One denies the allegations and states that removal does not waive any defenses.
The shift to federal court places the matter under federal procedural rules and may influence how motions and discovery are handled moving forward.
What This Means for the Industry
This case centers on editorial discretion, broadcast framing, republication of third-party statements, and corporate oversight across terrestrial and digital platforms. As radio brands continue expanding into podcasting and YouTube distribution, the legal exposure tied to republishing and commentary remains a live issue. The case is now pending in federal court. Further filings and motions will determine whether it advances beyond the pleading stage.
In related news Brian McKnight’s longtime manager Herb Trawick died this week
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