Dead Kris Kross Rapper Chris Kelly Was Just 13 When He Recorded “Jump” in Philly Studio

Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly, who died yesterday in Atlanta of an apparent drug overdose, was only 13 when he and Chris Smith recorded their catchy classic “Jump” in Philadelphia at Studio 4 and Digital Tekniques and Digital Sound. Local label Ruffhouse (distributed by Columbia Records) issued the duo’s 1992 debut album Totally Krossed Out, which “Jump” propelled to sell four million copies. Follow-ups “Da Bomb” and “Young, Rich and Dangerous” were also released on Ruffhouse, which relocated from Northern Liberties to Conshohocken in 1994. Kris Kross later signed with Judgment Records, founded by Joe Nicolo who co-founded Ruffhouse along with Chris Schwartz.