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Chris KellyOne of the two members of the American rap duo Kris Kross
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Biography of Kris Kelly
Kris Kelly, known by his stage name Mac Daddy, was an American rapper and one half of the rap duo Kris Kross. He gained fame in his teenage years with the radio hit "Jump" in the early 1990s.
Rising to Fame
Kris Kelly and his rap partner Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith caught the attention of producer Jermaine Dupri when they performed at a mall in Atlanta. Dupri, a budding hip-hop mogul at the time, brought Kelly and Smith to Ruffhouse Records, where their debut album "Totally Krossed Out" was released in 1992. Kelly was thirteen and Smith was twelve at the time.
The duo, known for their friendly lyrics and unique fashion style of wearing clothes backward, quickly gained popularity among teenagers. "Totally Krossed Out" sold four million copies and their single "Jump" topped the charts for eight consecutive weeks. Kris Kross even appeared in music videos for Michael Jackson, Run-D.M.C., and TLC, and opened for Jackson on his tour.
Post-Kris Kross
After their subsequent albums in the 1990s were less successful than their debut, Kelly and Smith went their separate ways. However, in February 2013, they reunited to perform at the 20th-anniversary concert for Dupri's label So So Def.
Tragic Death
On May 1st, 34-year-old Kris Kelly was found unconscious in his home with signs of a drug overdose. He was rushed to Atlanta Medical Center, where he passed away after half an hour. The official cause of death will be determined after an autopsy.
Legacy and Tributes
Kelly's mother, Donna Kelly Pratte, released a statement expressing her deep sorrow over his death. She described him as a kind, generous, and friendly person who loved music and had a unique fashion sense. Many friends, acquaintances, and artists expressed their condolences through social media, with rapper Nicki Minaj sending love to his family and LL Cool J dedicating a song to him.
