Kris Kross’ Chris Kelly Found Dead in Atlanta

May 2, 2013 by Lindsay Cronin

Rapper Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly of the hit 90′s group Kris Kross was found dead in Atlanta today at just 34-years of age. Authorities claim Kelly was discovered unresponsive at his Atlanta home and pronounced dead shortly after.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office told press that Kelly was pronounced dead around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday after being transported to the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center. Honey said authorities are unsure what caused Kelly’s death and that an autopsy hadn’t yet been performed.

Kris Kross was introduced on the scene in 1992 by rapper/producer Jermaine Dupre after he discovered them in an Atlanta mall. From there, Kelly and partner Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, who were known to wear their clothing backwards, released their mega-hit, Jump, which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks and went double platinum.

The group ended their career and went their separate ways after three studio albums released in 1992, 1993, and 1996.

Just three months ago, Kelly and Smith reunited after nearly two decades to perform Jump at So So Def’s 20th Anniversary concert in Atlanta. This would be their last performance together.

Since his death was announced, celebrities including Russell Simmons and Talib Kweli have tweeted their condolences. “RIP Chris Kelly from Kris Kross,” Simmons wrote. In the last hour since he posted the message, it’s been re-tweeted nearly 1,500 times.

FUN FACT: In 2005, Kelly began flying kites and entered several national competitions for the sport. At the time of his death, he was in the process of starting a kite design company.