UMarvin Gaye wazalwa enguMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr ngekaTshazimpuzi, ngomhla wesi-2, ngo1939 eWashington, D.C., ezalwa ngumfundisi wezakwalizwi uMarvin Gay, Sr., kunye nomsebenzi wasemakhitshini uAlberta Gay (intombi yakwa Cooper). Ikhaya lakhe lokuqala lalise1617 First Street SW, kwiibhloko ezimbalwa phambi kokuba ufike kumlambo iAnacostia. Isitalato sokuqala ebumelwaneni sasibizwa ngokuba yi""Simple City"" ngenxa yokokuba yayisisixeko""esingangesiqingatha, isiqingatha selizwe"". Wathi xa kanye ayinkwenkwana eselula uGaye, lwafudukela kwindawo eseDeanwood kumntla-mpuma weD.C. UGaye wayengumntwana wesibini kubantwana bakayise ekwangumntwana wesithathu kubantwana abathandu babonke. Unoodade wabo ababini: uJeanne noZeola, kunye nabafowabo abathathu: uMichael Cooper, uFrankie Gaye kunye noAntwaun Gaye. UMichael Cooper waye sisizananina, ukanti yena uAntwaun yena waye elivezandlebe wayefunyenwe yindoda ngaphandle komtshatos.