Jump” was the closest thing to gangster rap a five-years-old child could ever come, without facing severe repercussions like being sentenced to enjoying life from the boring side of the window or having snack time taken away. And, at that influential age, Kris Kross the closest a five-year-old can get to mocking a fashion trend, without purchasing the clothes they wish to emulate themselves. When Jermaine Dupri introduced Kris Kross, he rocked my five-year-old world.
MUST READ: Kris Kross Rapper Chris Kelly Dead At 34
Last night, while perusing Twitter, I came across the news that Chris Kelly of the iconic 90s duo Kris Kross had been found unresponsive, in his home. A drug overdose is speculated. Immediately, I was thrown into memories of dancing like the “Mac Daddy,” two fingers pointed in an inverted “L” shape. Dad was big on hip-hop, so when he rewound the catchy tune on the tape he recorded for me without being coaxed by a good tear or two and fear of being labeled “wiggity wiggity whack,” I knew “Jump” was more than just a hot song for kids. When that beat dropped, age was a non-motherf**king factor.
Kris Kross debuted in 1992 with “Jump.” With Jermaine Dupri at the helms, “Jump” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and held the slot for eight weeks. The single sold over 2 million copies. Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith were only 12 and 13 when they became megastars. In an official statement, Jermaine Dupri called Kelly, “the son I never had.” Kelly’s bandmate Chris Smith released this statement: “Our friendship began as little boys in first grade. We grew up together. It was a blessing to achieve the success, travel the world and entertain Kris Kross fans all around the world with my best friend.”
“Jump” served as soundtrack to my life, and my sister, cousins–who were all around the same age as me. We’d recite the lyrics like our ABCs and take turns borrowing eachother’s tapes. Backward clothing became the biggest fad long after the “Jump” hype died down. Adults, were not exempt from turning their pants around and wearing their shirts on wrong side.
Chris Kelly, seemingly in good health, and Chris Smith performed at the 20th anniversary of So So Def in February.
I am not the only one saddened by Kelly’s death. Celebrities of all races, took to Twitter to express their melancholy of the fallen Kross member.
In the words of Jermaine Dupri, “May god bless your soul.”
More on Chris Kelly from NewsOne:
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