Today we’d like to introduce you to Heaven Clark.
Hi Heaven, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Heaven Clark, but you may know me as Starr Burss. My story began with my dad’s love for music and a moment with my mom that started everything. Soon after my Dad return from overseas he always told everyone he was going to start his music career he just retired from the navy! My mom pitch the song to UMG and the executive director heard the music and he like what he heard and contact my mom immediately to offer my dad a dea!
My dad had secured a single distribution deal through Universal, but after his vocal cords were damaged, he could no longer continue making music the way he had before. When I was about seven years old, I went to my mom and told her, “God gave me my dad’s voice.” I also told her I already had a name because I was born a star with a burst of energy. That’s how the name Starr Burss came to life.
For my eighth birthday, I recorded my first song, “It’s Your Birthday.” From that point on, I kept finding my way to the stage. With my mom’s support, I began performing, building my confidence, and discovering who I wanted to be as an artist. My songs, including “Love Yourself” and “No Worries,” give me a way to encourage others while expressing myself.
Since then, I’ve performed at festivals, community celebrations, and events honoring people who have made a difference. Some of those experiences include performances for Sweet Pea Whitaker, Mama Ali, and Doug E. Fresh, along with vegan, Juneteenth, jazz, and Newport News festivals. I’ve also performed at Beats & Pedals, Stop the Violence events, Falloween, and events for the Never Forgotten organization. Performing for Black History Month at my elementary school, Ingleside, was another special opportunity to share my talent with my own school community. I also won first place in a Va talent show and Kids Expo.
My creativity has taken me beyond live performances, too. I appeared in a music video with KRS-one Nostalgia and had acting roles in movies called “Babymomma” and “Soul.” Those experiences have given me opportunities to explore storytelling in different ways.
Now, I’m working on a music project with producer Herb Middleton. I’m also looking forward to a project with a songwriter whose credits include Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul.” Another exciting milestone is returning to perform at Timbaland Way for my second yearthis time with the opportunity to open the show.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know I still have so much to learn. What started as a little girl telling her mom that God gave her her dad’s voice has grown into a journey of music, faith, family, and finding my own voice. I want to keep creating music that helps people feel good about themselves and reminds other young people that they can follow their dreams, too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road\. One of the hardest challenges was when my family had to live in a homeless shelter\. During that time, I continued pursuing my music\. We would leave the shelter so I could perform, and afterward, we would return there\. People watching me onstage might not have known what we were going through\.
My mom kept supporting my dreams while working to get our family into a better situation\. Looking back, I appreciate how much she was carrying and how she still made sure I had opportunities to do what I loved\.
We are in a better situation now, and I’m grateful\. That experience taught me to keep going, appreciate the people who stand beside me, and have compassion for others\. I want anyone facing a difficult situation to know that they still deserve opportunities to grow and follow their dreams\.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a recording artist, live performer, and actress known as Starr Burss. My music celebrates confidence, self-love, and being yourself. Through songs like “Love Yourself” and “No Worries,” I want to give people something they can enjoy while also sharing a message that encourages them.
Performing is one of my favorite parts of what I do. I love bringing energy to the stage and connecting with the audience. I’ve performed at festivals, school programs, and community events, including Beats & Pedals and Stop the Violence events. I’ve also explored acting through roles in “Babymomma” and “Soul,” along with appearing in a music video with krs-one Nostalgia.
What I’m most proud of is continuing to pursue my dreams through difficult circumstances. There was a time when my family lived in a homeless shelter, and I would go perform and return to the shelter afterward. Knowing what it took for us to get to those stages makes every opportunity meaningful to me. I’m also proud of winning first place in a Kids Expo talent show and continuing to grow as an artist.
Now, I’m working on a music project with Herb Middleton and preparing for more opportunities, including returning to Timbaland Way for my second year, this time opening the show.
What sets me apart is the story, purpose, and burst of energy I bring to my work. My journey started when I told my mom that God gave me my dad’s voice after he lost his. Today, I’m developing my own voice and learning how to use it to make a positive difference. I want young people to hear my music, see my journey, and believe there is room for their dreams, too.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my mom getting us up, dressing us in matching outfits, and taking us on road trips. I’ve always been bubbly and outgoing, and my mom encouraged me to be myself. She believed in us and pushed us to reach higher, even before we understood how much we could accomplish.
I also treasure my memories of my grandma, Sheila E. Williams. I miss her so much. My mom started a nonprofit organization in her honor, and it means a lot to see her memory live on through helping others.
I’m grateful for the experiences my mom introduced us to, including mentoring programs and opportunities to discover our talents. Looking back, what makes those memories special is knowing how much she wanted us to learn, explore, and believe in ourselves. Her support is a big part of the confidence I bring to the stage today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Starr_Burss
- Facebook: Starr Burss
- Soundcloud: Starr Burss
