Fredro Starr got his start rapping beside cousin Sticky Fingaz in the group responsible for turning me on to hip-hop: Onyx. After Onyx broke up, Fredro continued on his way to a successful acting career including appearances on NYPD Blue and one of my favorite shows, Law & Order. His latest album Don't Get Mad Get Money is an upbeat album surrounded by heavy sounds characteristic of his Onyx roots. His production crew of Porky, Kronic Tones and ESS impress by creating solid album based on their diverse style which manages to include heavy guitar, like on the infectious 'Just Like That.'

'Reapers Anthem' successfully captures Fredro's energy of old as it takes on a grimy rap metal sound reminiscent of the Judgement Night Soundtrack. The title track also shines production-wise as Fredro runs you throw a typical day of acting, signing autographs and making that chedda. 'Funtime' has a fun summertime feel, but sounds awful similar to St. Lunatics 'Summer in the City.' Two of the albums hotter beats are wasted on a couple somewhat corny songs with Fredro following in Nelly's footsteps by pledging his allegiance to his favorite shoe on 'Timberlands', and then drawing images of 50 Cent with his chorus on 'Rambo.' The first single, 'California Girls' borrows a few lyrics from Tupac's classic 'California Love', but plants them on a pop-friendly Neptunes sounding beat.

Don't Get Mad Get Money has a two-sided feel to its production by yielding some pop friendly beats and some hard-hitting street beats. Fredro Starr fails to astound me lyrically, but still manages to hold his own. Although Sticky Fingaz will always remain my favorite member of Onyx, Fredro Starr proves his worth. Not only is he a budding actor, he has impeccable taste at picking his production crew.

Click here to buy the album at amazon.com