Julie McKnight was born Julie Turney, on the 9th January 1971 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA. I’m pretty sure that’s her birthday but it’s not published anywhere but I sent a happy birthday message this year on Instagram, and she was posting 55 on her page! Julie McKnight was married to R&B singer Brian McKnight from 1990 to 2003, and they had two sons together. Unfortunately, her son Cole passed away in 2025 at the age of 32 after a 2-year battle with cancer.
She was raised in a deeply musical household, which strongly shaped her career path. Her father, Norris Turney, was a jazz saxophonist who performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra before later becoming a minister. Her mother, Saundra Brooks, was a theatre performer who also performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York. Growing up surrounded by accomplished musicians and performers, McKnight developed an early passion for singing. Her family environment also introduced her to major musical figures such as Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, and Little Richard during her youth. She later studied at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, where she continued to participate in music and performance.
Julie’s professional career began in the 1990s, initially working as a backup vocalist for several well-known artists, including: Kenny G, Luther Vandross and Will Smith. This period gave her valuable industry experience and exposure, helping her transition into a solo and featured artist.
Later in the late 1990s, she joined the house music scene and became associated with the group Kings of Tomorrow, where her vocals helped define the sound of several dance hits.
McKnight rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly within house and dance music scene, with her most successful hits including Finally, Home and Diamond Life.
Click the link below for a listen to Home, I love this tune. Its so soulful and has such meaning to me that it’s in the top twenty of tunes played on my Spotify.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGqLpzOJxik&list=RDZGqLpzOJxik&start_radio=1
Please do me a favour, make yourself a cup of tea, a coffee or a beer and sit and listen to all 3 of these tunes, listen to her voice and the words and I guarantee it will be the best 20 minutes of your day.
“Finally” became a major global club anthem and earned significant recognition. It won Song of the Year at the 2001 MTV2 DanceStar Music Awards and contributed to her reputation as a leading vocalist in dance music. She also received nominations such as Best Vocalist and Best Live PA.
So, below is the links to listen to Finally and Diamond life. Working with Louie Vega on Diamond life was genius and the tune is just so catchy. Finally, what can I say about this song. It’s my all-time favourite tune and it is regularly voted the best house music tune ever by important people within the industry. If you are ever in a club or at a festival and Finally gets a spin everybody and I do mean everybody will know all the words and sing it loud, it has touched so many people, including myself, it will be played at my funeral! I can’t imagine any other voice singing these tunes I think all of them are immense and if Julie had never recorded another song her catalogue would go down in history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syPi_HXY1e0&list=RDsyPi_HXY1e0&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhGabwgFpao&list=RDyhGabwgFpao&start_radio=1
Her voice creates some of the best soulful vocals and has made her one of the most recognisable voices in House music. Being described as Powerful, deep, soulful and emotionally expressive. She has built a reputation for delivering strong live performances at venues and festivals worldwide, including major club scenes in cities like New York, Ibiza, and San Francisco.
Throughout her career, McKnight has collaborated with various well-known artists and producers, including Earth, Wind & Fire, The Emotions and David Guetta.
In addition to performing, McKnight has continued releasing singles and collaborating with DJs and producers as well as working on solo projects and recordings. She still performs internationally on dance and house tours. She has also engaged in media and personal projects, including a podcast and book initiative focused on family life.
Her career will be defined by Finally, and that’s not a bad thing! i hear Julies voice every day, and that’s a truth, there are so many immense female vocalists around the house music scene but in my opinion she is the greatest there has ever been, you may think different and that’s ok, but you have to admit, that girl can sing!!!
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