Eagle-Eye Cherry was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of jazz artist Don Cherry and Swedish painter/textile artist Monika Cherry (née Karlsson). He is the fourth of five siblings. He is the half-brother of singer Neneh Cherry (his mother's daughter) and stepbrother to singer Titiyo. Other half-brothers are violinist Jan Cherry, Christian Cherry, and jazz musician David Ornette Cherry. At the age of 12, Cherry was sent to school in New York City. He remained there to work as an actor and a drummer in various bands.