White was born in Jacksonville, Florida. When he was a child, his family moved to East Orange, New Jersey, where he began singing in a gospel choir. While attending West Side High School he sang and played drums in rock, prog-rock, and funk bands. Clark, Alice, "Barrence Whitfield: Walk On The Wild Side", Loudersound.com, September 7, 2015. "Once at West Side High School he grabbed every opportunity to perform, from taking part in productions of Broadway shows and musicals to playing in soul and funk bands.'"
