Larkin Arnold (born September 3, 1942) is an ente entertainment lawyer, music executive and talent management chief executive. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri.^[1]

When Arnold was in elementary school, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, due to his mother's health.

In Kansas City and Phoenix, Arnold attended Catholic schools.

Arnold received his Bachelor of Science degree in political science from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1966, and graduated from Howard University Law School in 1969.^[2]

In 1970, Arnold joined Capitol Records becoming one of the first African Americans to be hired as an attorney by a major record label. Four years later, he was promoted to vice president of Capitol Records, creating and heading the company's Black Music Division. In 1975, Arnold signed Natalie Cole to Capitol Records and, in 1977, he served as the executive producer for Caldera’s record Sky Island. He also signed Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, the former backup band for Marvin Gaye. In 1978, Arnold left Capitol Records for Arista Records. As senior vice president at Arista Records, Arnold ran the West Coast office and was in charge of bringing in new artists and products. Arnold held this position until he was hired in 1980 by CBS/SONY Music as senior vice president. There, he spearheaded the marketing and promotion of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album that sold over twenty-five million units worldwide. Arnold also represented Teena Marie, Luther Vandross, Surface, Peabo Bryson and The Reflections.^[2]

In 1988, Arnold founded Arnold & Associates, one of the few wholly integrated legal and management teams in the record industry.

Arnold co-founded the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, serving as its chairman for eight years. He has served on the boards of the Los Angeles Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Executive Committee of XI Boule Fraternity, the United Negro College Fund Ladders of Hope Program, and the Los Angeles Zoo Commission.^[3]