King was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States.

In June 2021, King's book “The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music And Culture” was published by Chicago Review Press.

He also established a publishing company, Young Blues Rebel, LLC.

In the Oscar-winning film Ray he plays band leader and blues guitar player Lowell Fulson.

King also starred in the Wim Wenders art house film The Soul of a Man, as Blind Willie Johnson and Kill Switch as Detective Storm with Steven Seagal.