Born and raised in Harlesden (London, England) until he was 2 years old, Mikey General, then moved to Jamaica with his parents. When in Jamaica, Mikey was raised in areas such as Harbour View, Valentine Gardens off Molynes Road in Kingston 19 and Red Hills Road. He recalls completing his stage name when he came back to England in 1982, "General in Jamaica when I used to live in a community named Valentine Gardens. When we used to go outta street, me used to wear some big pants and dem used to say me favour de governor general.