The deep-voiced singer grew up in South Central Los Angeles, running with gangs and eventually landing in jail at 17 for stealing $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires. After having four kids by the time he was 21, White decided to straighten out and embark on a career in music, first as a producer then finally stepping in front of the microphone himself. He later received an honorary doctorate from Paul Quinn College.

The deep-voiced singer grew up in South Central Los Angeles, running with gangs and eventually landing in jail at 17 for stealing $30,000 worth of Cadillac tires. After having four kids by the time he was 21, White decided to straighten out and embark on a career in music, first as a producer then finally stepping in front of the microphone himself. He later received an honorary doctorate from Paul Quinn College.