Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly died of drug overdose, coroner says

Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly died of a drug overdose, the Georgia medical examiner has concluded.

The toxicology report showed that Kelly had a mixture of drugs in his system when he was pronounced dead on May 1 at age 34, although the medical examiner’s spokeswoman said she did not know which drugs they were.

But Kelly’s mother previously told police that he had used heroin and cocaine the night before he died and that he had a history of substance abuse problems.

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Kelly, half of the Atlanta rap duo along with Chris Smith, was found unresponsive on a couch in his home, and paramedics were unable to revive him.

Kris Kross’ breakout 1992 hit “Jump” established the duo, but they were never able to match that song’s success. They performed earlier this year in Atlanta at an anniversary celebration for So So Def Records, the label run by producer Jermaine Dupri, who had shepherded their early career.

Kelly’s uncle, Lamar Williams, said at a memorial service in May that his nephew had been planning a comeback.

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