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Members of the music industry and fans alike are mourning the loss of Chris Kelly, one half of the ‘90s rap group Kris Kross, who died in Atlanta Wednesday.
He was found unresponsive in his home, and pronounced dead at Atlanta Medical Center just after 8 p.m. No further information about the circumstances surrounding his death was immediately available.
PHOTOS: Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2013
As part of the famous duo, which was also made up of Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, Kelly famously wore his clothes backwards and baggy. On Twitter, a number of of well wishers referenced his unique clothing style, with Daily Show writer Travon Free tweeting “I have to wear my pants backwards tomorrow” to honor the musician. LL Cool J, meanwhile, dedicated a song to the late rapper.
Kelly’s mother, Donna Kelly Pratte, and So So Def Recordings released a joint statement Wednesday night:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Chris Kelly has passed away on May 1. To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris – the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him.”
Below find the best tweets remembering Kelly. This list be updated throughout the night.
R.I.PChris Kelly. This song is now officially dedicated to you. May GOD embrace your soul & lift up your family. m.soundcloud.com/llcoolj/14-jum…
— LL COOL J (@llcoolj) May 2, 2013
Rest in peace. Chris Kelly Dead: Kris Kross Rapper Dies At Age 34 huff.to/10X0PgY#KrisKross #jumpjump/via @heykim
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 2, 2013
Chris Kelly of Kris Kross died and now I have to wear my pants backwards tomorrow in honor of my childhood. #RIP
— Travon Free (@Travon) May 2, 2013
R.I.P to Chris Kelly. One half of #KrissKross. #SoSoDef @ Global14.com instagram.com/p/Yyq6ppo714/
— So So Def Recordings (@sosodef) May 2, 2013
It seems that the news is true…RIP Chris Kelly #ATL #SoSoDef #KrissKross youtu.be/010KyIQjkTk
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) May 2, 2013
RIP CHRIS KELLY from Kriss kross loved them growing up so sad life is short smh
Chris Kelly, half of Kris Kross, has died. He was 34. So sad.
— Touré (@Toure) May 2, 2013
NOOOOO!!! RIP. So unbelievably sad… RT @ew: Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly dead at 34 ow.ly/kCMHd
— Tracie Thoms (@traciethoms) May 2, 2013
How many of y’all rocked backwards jeans because of Kris Kross?
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 2, 2013
RIP Chris Kelly of Kriss Kross, whose “Jump” was one of the most exuberant records of the 90’s youtube.com/watch?v=010KyI… Way too young to go…
— steve greenberg (@steviegpro) May 2, 2013
Rest In Peace, Chris Kelly. Kris Kross lives forever. Thank you for the memories. #AtlantasOwn
— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) May 2, 2013
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