Born the second-eldest of four, Gibbs was raised in public housing in East Harlem by a single mother. His family lived off of welfare.[4] As a teenager, Gibbs sold crack cocaine to support his family.[5]
At 17 years old, Gibbs was stabbed in the leg in an attempted robbery. In an act of self defense, Gibbs shot and killed his attacker before turning himself in at a local police station.[5] He spent 17 months on Rikers Island before accepting a plea deal. Gibbs then served time at the Elmira, Cayuga, and Mid-State Correctional Facilities.[6] In prison, he received his GED and associate degree.[4]