# Fredro Starr
**Fredro Starr** (born 1971 as Fred Lee Scruggs Jr., also spelled Fredro Scruggs) is an American rapper and actor from Queens, New York, best known as a founding member of the hardcore hip-hop group Onyx and for his acting roles in *Moesha* and *Save the Last Dance*.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [6](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621248803)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1971, Queens, New York; also known as Fred Lee Scruggs, Jr.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) |
| Group | Founded the hardcore rap group Onyx; debut album *Bacdafucup* (1993, UNI/Def Jam) went platinum[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) |
| Breakout single | "Slam" became an unlikely hit on MTV and pop radio in 1993[2](https://www.nprillinois.org/the-x/2013-10-17/the-year-onyxs-slam-crashed-pop-radio) |
| Awards | *Bacdafucup* was nominated for Best New Artist at the 1994 American Music Awards and won Best Rap Album at the 1994 Soul Train Awards[3](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/) |
| Solo albums | *Firestarr* (2001), *Don't Get Mad Get Money* (2003), *Soul*, and later releases including *Firestarr 2* (2021)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/album/firestarr-mw0000623093) • [5](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/25368-fredro-starr/) • [6](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621248803) |
| Acting | Starred in *Save the Last Dance* (2000, Paramount/MTV), played Quentin on *Moesha*, and appeared in *Clockers*, *Strapped*, *Light It Up*, and *NYPD Blue*[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) |
| Business and writing | Runs the entertainment entity OPM (Other People's Money); published two children's books in 2011 and the autobiography *Bacdafucup: The Story of Onyx* in 2025[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [7](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/) |
## Onyx and the breakthrough
Starr formed Onyx in his home borough of Queens. Accounts of the founding differ on dates and personnel: AllMusic records that he founded the group in 1988 with [Sticky Fingaz](https://www.edgepedia.org/sticky-fingaz) and Sonee Seeza,[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) while a 2025 profile states the group was originally formed in 1986 by Starr, Suavé, and Big DS, with his cousin Sticky Fingaz (Kirk Jones) joining in 1991.[3](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/) In his autobiography, Starr writes that the original lineup included Suavé, Big DS, and B Wiz, and that B Wiz was murdered during a drug deal gone wrong before Sticky Fingaz joined.[7](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/)
The group emerged from [South Jamaica, Queens](https://www.edgepedia.org/south-jamaica-queens), and connected with Run-DMC's DJ Jam Master Jay, who signed Onyx to his JMJ Records label in 1991.[8](https://octobergallery.com/fredro-starr-takes-the-mad-face-energy-from-onyx-to-the-tunnel/) • [7](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/) Profile Records had signed the group earlier, releasing the first single "Ah, And We Do It Like This," which Starr described as an attempt at a novelty pop sound.[2](https://www.nprillinois.org/the-x/2013-10-17/the-year-onyxs-slam-crashed-pop-radio)
**Bacdafucup and "Slam."** The debut album *[Bacdafucup](https://www.edgepedia.org/bacdafucup)* (1993), released through UNI/Def Jam, went platinum and brought a darker, harder edge into mainstream rap.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [8](https://octobergallery.com/fredro-starr-takes-the-mad-face-energy-from-onyx-to-the-tunnel/) Its single "Slam" became a hit on MTV and pop radio in a year when pop airplay otherwise favored non-threatening pop records, and it popularized mosh-pit energy in hip-hop.[2](https://www.nprillinois.org/the-x/2013-10-17/the-year-onyxs-slam-crashed-pop-radio) • [9](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-drink-champs-28370298/episode/episode-456-w-onyx-279590340/) [Jam Master Jay](https://www.edgepedia.org/jam-master-jay) and producer Chyskillz helped shape the album's sound.[8](https://octobergallery.com/fredro-starr-takes-the-mad-face-energy-from-onyx-to-the-tunnel/) Starr has said the album was recorded with the members "on LSD the whole time," a comment one academic writer cites to explain the guttural screams and barks on "Slam."[10](https://uplopen.com/books/751/files/14e63689-acc9-4712-a0c9-2e6311e22292.pdf) The album earned a Best New Artist nomination at the 1994 [American Music Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-music-awards) and won Best Rap Album at the 1994 Soul Train Awards.[3](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/)
Onyx followed with *[All We Got Iz Us](https://www.edgepedia.org/all-we-got-iz-us)* and *[Shut 'Em Down](https://www.edgepedia.org/shut-em-down-album)* (1998, Def Jam).[7](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/) • [1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) Across their career the group has sold over 2 million records, placed three albums in the Top 25 of the Billboard Top 200, and seen *Bacdafucup* selected as one of The Source magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums.[11](https://auth.vapi.ai/storage/v1/object/public/files/1719854074534-fd2c2b9a-e273-4e1a-ad36-d342acb818ef.pdf) AllMusic dates the group's breakup to after the 1998 album, though Starr and Sticky Fingaz have continued to record and tour as Onyx in the decades since.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [12](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1855626/000182912622020477/royaltytraders_ex13-4.pdf) Big DS died of lymphatic cancer in 2003.[3](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/)
## Solo career
After Onyx's Def Jam run, Starr began a solo career. His debut, *Firestarr*, was released in January 2001 and recorded partly at Studio 76 in Cleveland, Ohio.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/album/firestarr-mw0000623093) The track "Soldierz" reunited him with Sticky Fingaz, and his cut "Theme From Save the Last Dance," the song "Shining Through," appeared on the film's soundtrack.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) Reviewers highlighted the reflective single "What If" as the album's strongest song, while criticizing the heavy use of guest appearances; Starr produced much of the album himself with his partner DaVinci.[13](https://www.rapreviews.com/2001/03/fredro-starr-firestarr/) • [14](https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2001/02/a-rising-starr)
His second solo album, *Don't Get Mad Get Money* (2003, D3/Riviera/EMI), mixed pop-friendly and street-oriented production, with a production crew of Porky, Kronic Tones, and ESS.[15](https://www.brockwayent.com/oldreviews/fredromoney.html) Apple Music also lists *Soul* among his solo albums.[6](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621248803) Later releases include *Made In The Streets* (2014), *Firestarr 2* (2021), and collaborative projects such as *Strapped* with UFO Fev (2024) and *Soul* (2025).[5](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/25368-fredro-starr/) He has also continued releasing singles into the mid-2020s, including "Let It Be Known" featuring Tone Spliff.[16](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fredro-starr/1483661589)
## Acting
Starr built an acting career without formal training, moving from music-video appearances into television and film in the pattern of rappers like [Tupac Shakur](https://www.edgepedia.org/tupac-shakur) and Ice Cube.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [13](https://www.rapreviews.com/2001/03/fredro-starr-firestarr/) He played Quentin, a love interest of Brandy's title character, on the WB sitcom *Moesha*, and starred in the 2000 Paramount/MTV film *Save the Last Dance*.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) His film and television credits also include [Spike Lee](https://www.edgepedia.org/spike-lee)'s *Clockers*, HBO's *Strapped*, *Light It Up*, *Sunset Park*, *Torque*, *Ride*, *[Equal Standard](https://www.edgepedia.org/equal-standard)*, and *NYPD Blue*.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography) • [6](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621248803) His IMDb credits list 73 acting appearances plus producing, writing, and directing work.[17](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0823507/fullcredits)
## Writing and recent projects
Starr published two children's books, *Lil Freddy: The Red Sock* and *Lil Freddy: The Bully Kid*, in 2011.[3](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/) In 2025 he released his first autobiography, *Bacdafucup: The Story of Onyx*, named after the group's debut album; it covers his childhood in Queens with Sticky Fingaz, his years working as a barber, and the group's formation, and it is planned as the first of three books, with the second covering *All We Got Iz Us* and the third *Shut 'Em Down*.[7](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/)
He is also working in film. *The Tunnel*, a project he financed and shot himself, is inspired by the Manhattan nightclub the Tunnel, which operated in Chelsea from 1986 to 2001 and was a landmark of hip-hop nightlife.[8](https://octobergallery.com/fredro-starr-takes-the-mad-face-energy-from-onyx-to-the-tunnel/) Through his OPM (Other People's Money) imprint he continues to run a multi-faceted entertainment business.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography)
## References
1. [Fredro Starr Biography, AllMusic (Kerry L. Smith)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fredro-starr-mn0000194116/biography)
2. [The Year Onyx's 'Slam' Crashed Pop Radio, NPR Illinois (Dan Charnas, 2013)](https://www.nprillinois.org/the-x/2013-10-17/the-year-onyxs-slam-crashed-pop-radio)
3. [Actor/Hip-Hop Artist Fredro Starr sits with Ralph McDaniels at Queens NYPL, SHEEN Magazine (2025)](https://sheenmagazine.com/actor-hip-hop-artist-fredro-starr-sits-with-video-music-boxs-host-ralph-mcdaniels-at-queens-nypl-to-talk-about-new-book-career-and-future-goals/)
4. [Firestarr Review, AllMusic (Jon Azpiri)](https://www.allmusic.com/album/firestarr-mw0000623093)
5. [Fredro Starr Albums, Songs, Discography, Album of The Year](https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/25368-fredro-starr/)
6. [Fredro Starr, Apple Snapshot](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621248803)
7. [Fredro Starr Gives Fans An Exclusive Preview Of His New Autobiography, iHeart (2025)](https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-06-02-fredro-starr-gives-fans-an-exclusive-preview-of-his-new-autobiography/)
8. [Fredro Starr Takes the Mad Face Energy From Onyx to The Tunnel, October Gallery](https://octobergallery.com/fredro-starr-takes-the-mad-face-energy-from-onyx-to-the-tunnel/)
9. [Episode 456 w/ Onyx, Drink Champs, iHeart (2025)](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-drink-champs-28370298/episode/episode-456-w-onyx-279590340/)
10. [Alex S. Porco, chapter in UWP open volume on hip-hop](https://uplopen.com/books/751/files/14e63689-acc9-4712-a0c9-2e6311e22292.pdf)
11. [How to Rap 2: Advanced Flow and Delivery Techniques](https://auth.vapi.ai/storage/v1/object/public/files/1719854074534-fd2c2b9a-e273-4e1a-ad36-d342acb818ef.pdf)
12. [Exhibit 13.4, SEC filing mentioning Fred Scruggs (Fredro Starr) and Onyx](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1855626/000182912622020477/royaltytraders_ex13-4.pdf)
13. [Fredro Starr :: Firestarr, RapReviews (Steve 'Flash' Juon, 2001)](https://www.rapreviews.com/2001/03/fredro-starr-firestarr/)
14. [A Rising Starr, The Cornell Daily Sun (2001)](https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2001/02/a-rising-starr)
15. [Fredro Starr - Don't Get Mad Get Money Album Review, Brockway Entertainment (2003)](https://www.brockwayent.com/oldreviews/fredromoney.html)
16. [Fredro Starr, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fredro-starr/1483661589)
17. [Fredro Starr, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0823507/fullcredits)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › Transnational genre scenes › Hip hop scenes worldwide › Artists, groups, and people: Hip hop scenes worldwide › East Coast rap (New York and Philadelphia) › Golden era East Coast rap (1980s–1990s)*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license