Kris Kross Rapper CHRIS KELLY Dies at 34

According to USA Today, Chris Kelly of the rap duo Kris Kross died at an Atlanta hospital yesterday following an apparent drug overdose.

According to Corporal Kay Lester, a spokesman for the Fulton County police, "It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose." This approximation is based on statements received at the scene as well as any evidence that was collected.

He was officially pronounced dead at 5 pm at the hospital. No official cause of death has been released pending the results of an autopsy.

Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly along with Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith, formed the duo Kris Kross and were officially introduced to the music world in 1992 by then up and coming producer Jermaine Dupri. Dupri discovered the duo two years earlier in an Atlanta shopping Mall. With Dupri's help, they released their debut album, Totally Krossed Out, in 1992. The multi platinum album included their most famous song, "Jump" and quickly won over fans. Although they were just kids at the time, Kelly just 14 and Smith a year younger, they knew what they were doing. The success of "Jump" led to Kris Kross going on tour with the one and only Michael Jackson.

Following the tour with the King of Pop, Kris Kross was never truly able to capture the magic of "Jump" and quickly fell out of the spotlight. However, they would have minor success with future songs like "Warm it up" and "Tonite's Tha Night."

A few years ago, rumors began to surface that Kelly was suffering from cancer when pictures of him appeared that showed him with bald spots across his head. At the time he explained, "My health is good, I just got alopecia, not other sort of diseases."

Kelly would make his last public performance with Kris Kross earlier this year as a part of Dupri's label, So So Def's anniversary. He was 34 years old at the time of his death.

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