Chris Kelly, half of the 1990s kid rap duo behind one of the decade’s most memorable songs, “Jump,” died at an Atlanta hospital of an apparent drug overdose, authorities said. He was 34.
Kelly, known as “Mac Daddy,” and Chris Smith, known as “Daddy Mac,” made up the rap group Kris Kross, who were known for wearing their clothes backwards as they rhymed.
“It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose,” Cpl. Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police, told The Associated Press. Lester said that was based on statements received at the scene as well as evidence turned up at Kelly’s home in south Atlanta.
According to Lester, police were called to Kelly’s home at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was then transported to the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center.
Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office told The Associated Press Kelly was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
No official cause of death has been determined, pending an autopsy.
Kris Kross was introduced to the music world in 1992 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri after he discovered the pair at Greenbriar Mall in southwest Atlanta.
“To the world Chris was Mac Daddy but to me, he was a son I never had…” Dupri said in a statement Thursday.
Earlier this year, the group performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri’s label, So So Def.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
