Chris Kelly dies at 34: Music icons eulogize the Kriss Kross rapper

Chris Kelly, the rapper best known as "Mac Daddy" and one half of the 90s rap duo Kriss Kross, whose "Jump" was one of the decade's most enduring hits, has died in Atlanta at age 34. Police are treating the death as a possible drug overdose. The news was confirmed in an official statement from So So Def Records, co-signed by Chris Kelly's mother, Donna Kelly Pratte:

In addition to the official statement, So So Def Records founder Jermaine Dupri — who discovered the duo as preteens in an Atlanta shopping mall, and served as the sole producer on their 1992 debut album Totally Crossed Out — posted an open "Letter to the Fans":

Read the rest of the letter at Vibe.

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Chris Smith, the other member of Kriss Kross, who performed under the moniker "Daddy Mac," paid tribute in a statement:

Read the rest of the statement at E! Online.

A wide range of other musicians and music industry representatives have also tweeted condolence messages:

Teddy Riley, who toured with Kriss Kross:

Justin Bieber manager Scooter Braun:

And less than 24 hours after Kelly's death was confirmed, at least one artist had already performed a musical tribute. At a show in St. Louis on Wednesday night, Deftones frontman Chi Moreno eulogized Kelly before launching into a metal cover of "Jump":

(via Spin)