Events

The Live and Die for Hip Hop Celebration Honoring the Life and Legacy of Chris Kelly of Kris Kross

Published on September 27, 2023

On Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 4 p.m, Dr. Leigh Wise, will be joined by a host of family and friends and fellow music industry icons to honor Chris Kelly’s legacy.

Lifelong best friends Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith quickly became international music and cultural icons as the Hip Hop Duo “Kriss Kross” with their debut Billboard number one single “Jump” and Billboard number one and certified four-time platinum album “Totally Krossed Out.”

During their prolific music career, the pair would release additional hits such as “Warm It Up,” “Alright” featuring Reggae Artist Super Cat and “Tonite’s tha Night” and be the opening act during the King of Pop Michael Jackson’s 1992 European Dangerous World Tour. Kriss Kross can easily be credited with being the first Hip Hop group to achieve global success out of Atlanta, Georgia and representing their city across the world.

The event features storytelling by celebrity guests such as Kirk and Rasheeda Frost, Shane Bobb, Vince Phillips, Zak Wallace and an encore performance by Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith. There will also be a live performance by Atlanta Legend Kilo Ali and music soundtrack by the renowned DJ Jelly.

Dr. Wise and her family raise funds to award a scholarship to a graduating student from Kelly’s alma mater, Atlanta Institute of Music, and East Point, Georgia’s Tri-Cities High School. In 2023,a scholarship will be awarded to a student passionately pursuing a performing arts or healthcare career.

ABOUT CHRIS “MAC DADDY” KELLY AND CHRIS “DADDY MAC” SMITH

Kriss Kross is the winner of the 1992 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for Favorite Male Singer/Group and Favorite Song (“Jump”) and the 1993 American Music Awards for Favorite R&B/Soul New Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist. The group was nominated for multiple GRAMMY, MTV Video Music and Soul Train Music awards. “Live & Die for Hip Hop,” featuring Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri and the late Aaliyah, is the second single released from their 1996 album, “Young, Rich & Dangerous.”

Related Topics:Chris Kelly, Dr. Leigh Wise, Featured, Hip Hop Celebration, Kris Kross

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