Johnson was born in Rock Island, Illinois. He moved to East St. Louis, Illinois at the age of nine and was raised by foster parents after his parents split up. At age 16 he moved back to Rock Island to live with his father Jackwood Johnson.
Johnson's early life involved a move from Rock Island to East St. Louis at age nine, followed by a period of living with foster parents after his parents separated. At the age of 16, he returned to Rock Island to live with his father.