STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

This Day in Black History: April 11, 1980

Singer Barry White received an honorary degree from UCLA's Faculty Club in Recording Arts and Sciences on April 11, 1980.

Praised for his deep bass vocals, sultry soul ballads and romantic disco hits, Barry White once a high school dropout received an honorary degree from UCLA's Faculty Club in Recording Arts and Sciences on April 11, 1980.

As a young man growing up in South Central Los Angeles, White and his brother engaged in gang and criminal activity. But after serving seven months in jail at the age of 16 for robbery, the budding performer vowed never to return again. 

A few years later, White dropped out of high school in his senior year to support his high school sweetheart, Betty Smith, with whom he would have four children and, ultimately, divorce. 

It was not until 1972, that the up-and-coming songwriter received his first real break in the music industry: a recording contract with 20th Century Records. White would continue on to pioneer the burgeoning disco genre, winning two Grammy awards, achieving 106 gold and 41 platinum albums worldwide and selling more than 100 million internationally in the process.

His extensive discography, which includes the famous hit singles "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love," has been heralded by critics and the public.

By the time of his death on July 4, 2003, White had reached a near-universal acclaim and popularity that few artists achieve and even fewer within their own lifetime, according to Ed Hogan of AllMusic.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Mary J. BligeMaxwellJill ScottA$AP RockyRick Rossand many more. Click here for more details and info on how to purchase tickets.

(Photo: David Corio/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.