The influence of family is evident in some people’s career choices. Others can follow in the footsteps of their family legacy on their own accord, or they are forced to continue their influence in the industry. For versatile entertainer Arnstar, following in his family’s legacy has been a way to bring him closer to their spirits.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, as Sean Kirkland, the would-be entertainer grew up on the streets of Harlem. Kirkland was surrounded by art and culture as influences from the two boroughs, giving him a colorful upbringing. Even then, destiny had plans for the young Kirkland as he was born into a multi-faceted family that the community knew and respected.
Tara Kirkland and Sean Rucker, also known as Kippy Dee of the legendary Rock Steady Crew, cemented their names in the 80s. His mother, Tara, was known for her musical talent, and his father was a pioneer of hip-hop culture. Kippy Dee was also known as a b-boy and was recognizable on the streets for his style and fashion influence. Unfortunately, they passed away, and Kirkland was left struggling financially with his siblings.
It was music and dance that helped Kirkland pull himself up from his troubles, and eventually, he would follow in his parents’ footsteps and take the stage name ARNSTAR. As ARNSTAR, he would continue his father’s legacy and ascend to greatness. Bringing a diverse style, the rising star would create hip-hop, R&B, pop, and dance music. Regardless of the genre, ARNSTAR’s lyrics highlight essential subject matters while engaging his audience with a captivating flow that entices one to free themselves in full expression.
Outside of his music venture, ARNSTAR is one of the pioneers of a world-renowned dance culture that stems from Harlem called Litefeet. With his team, W.A.F.F.L.E. NYC (or We Are Family For Life Entertainment), he has gained a worldwide fanbase with supporters coming from Japan, Paris, Argentina, Poland, and Toronto. Together they have performed with multi-platinum selling artists like Swizz Beatz and P. Diddy on national television shows like The Ellen Show, The View, Access Hollywood, and Huffington Post. ARNSTAR has also performed on the big stage, including Times Square New Year’s Eve, America’s Got Talent, Madison Square Garden, The Barclays, and BET Awards Pre-Red Carpet Show.
ARNSTAR discovered his natural talent in acting when he landed a role in the Netflix original film Roxanne Roxanne, a film based on rapper Roxanne Shante. There he portrayed the legendary MC Shan. ARNSTAR would later become a cast member of Wild ‘n Out in its eleventh season. He would follow up with appearances in different commercials. With a high spirit and love for connecting with people on and off the stage, ARNSTAR always draws people to his presence.
The rising artist has gone a long way from losing his parents and sleeping in a car in Los Angeles. Throughout his journey, ARNSTAR never lost faith in his belief to pursue his dreams and inspire others. With so many opportunities finally coming his way, ARNSTAR’s mission is to create a world where people could freely express themselves to their highest ability. Using his talent and his community involvement, the rising artist uses his platform as an activist for the youth. ARNSTAR recently released his full-length album titled Light Layers: Extended Spectrum. Additionally, he has taken on the lead role in a film titled Wheels, which won six awards.Learn more about ARNSTAR by visiting his official website. You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where he posts updates about his works.
