Kris Kross' Chris Kelly Dead at 34: Half of 1990s Rap Duo Dies of Apparent Drug Overdose, Mother Mourns Death, 'We Will Forever Love Him'

Chris Kelly of Kriss Kross, the kid rap duo responsible for the 1990's hit song "Jump," died in an Atlanta, Georgia, hospital last night at the age of 34 years old. Reports claim that the former child music star suffered an apparent drug overdose in his home around 4:30 p.m. and brought to the Atlanta Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Along with his musical partner, Chris Smith, Kelly saw major success at a very young age. Kriss Kross was discovered performing in a mall by producer Jurmaine Dupri in 1991. Kelly and Smith were only 13 at the time. Kriss Kross officially disbanded in 1998 but preformed a reunion set during the 20^th anniversary of Dupri's record label earlier this year.

There has yet to be an official cause of death announced but Corporal Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County Police, said, "It appears to have been a possible drug overdose."

In 2009 pictures surfaced featuring a bald spot on Kelly's head, which lead to rumors about a possible cancer diagnosis. But in a YouTube interview that same year, the rapper cleared up that rumor by revealing he had alopecia.

Chris' mother, Donna Kelly Pratte, released a statement to Us Weekly saying:

"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."