Kris Kross’ Chris Kelly was remembered as a true friend and hip-hop pioneer at a memorial in Atlanta on Thursday. His family and friends gathered to pay their respects to the 34-year-old rapper known as Mac Daddy, who died last week of an apparent drug overdose.
Following his sudden death on Wednesday, Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly was remembered by many of his peers on Twitter. But few knew the 34-year-old Kris Kross rapper as well as Jermaine Dupri.
The So So Def mogul discovered 13-year-old Chris and his partner Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith at an Atlanta mall in 1991 and signed them to Ruffhouse Records. On Thursday, he posted a letter on his blog Global 14 remembering the “son he never had.”
“When I think about it, I spent more time with Chris and Chris than damn near anybody in my whole life, so you can imagine how bad this hurts,” wrote J.D., who produced Kris Kross’ mega-hit “Jump” as well as their three albums.
In February, J.D. brought Kris Kross together onstage at his 20th anniversary all-star concert in Atlanta to perform a medley of their greatest hits.
Rihanna invaded Atlanta on her “Diamonds World Tour” last night and some famous fans were in the audience. T.I. and his wife Tiny kicked it backstage with the “Stay” singer, who just became the first artist in Billboard’s history to land 10 No. 1s on the Pop Songs radio airplay chart.
“Me & @badgalriri merkin shit back-stage after da #diamondsworldtour …. My lil patna gave it to dey ass tonight!!! Shawty #turnttodamax!!!! #dastrongway!!!!” tweeted the King.
Jermaine Dupri brought his daughter Shaniah (who also met A$AP Rocky), while Young Jeezy and Ludacris showed the pop princess some love.
After the concert at Philips Arena, RiRi hit up Magic City with Tiny and her girlfriends, throwing cash as strippers danced to “Pour It Up.”
Usher has been experimenting with different producers, but he’s returning to familiar territory. The R&B superstar is back in the studio with Jermaine Dupri working on his next album.
Everyone from Jay-Z to Mariah Carey came out to celebrate 20 years of hits at So So Def’s anniversary concert in Atlanta on Saturday night. So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri put on for his city at ATL’s Fox Theatre with a night full of stars and surprises. The historic event featured performances from past and present So So Def artists including Bow Wow, Da Brat, Anthony Hamilton, Dondria, Jagged Edge, Xscape, and more.
Jermaine Dupri will celebrate 20 years of So So Def with a star-studded concert tonight at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. With hours to go until the big show, the So So Def boss shares rehearsal footage starring some of the artists on the bill.
Da Brat and J.D. trade rhymes on “That’s What I’m Looking For,” while Kriss Kross reprises their ’90s classic “Jump.” R&B supergroups Xscape and Jagged Edge also tinker with their performances in the behind-the-scenes footage.
Saturday’s star-studded lineup features past and present So So Def artists including Bow Wow, Bonecrusher, Dondria, and Anthony Hamilton, plus Nelly, Ludacris, and Usher.
If that wasn’t enough, Mariah Carey and Jay-Z are rumored to be participating in the festivities. Get a sneak peek at what you can expect and check out our interview with J.D.
From Kriss Kross to Bow Wow to Da Brat, So So Def has changed the face of hip-hop and introduced some of its brightest stars. On the 20th anniversary of his label, CEO Jermaine Dupri reflects on its legacy and shares what the future holds including new albums from Jagged Edge, Leah LaBelle, Dondria, and Fresco Kane.
“I just want people to understand that So So Def is probably one of the most musical companies to ever come in the 20th century,” said J.D., whose focus remains on breaking new artists.
On February 23, So So Def’s past and present roster will gather to celebrate with a star-studded concert at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre featuring performances from Kriss Kross, Jagged Edge, Da Brat, Dondria, Fresco Kane, Bow Wow, Bonecrusher, Anthony Hamilton, and more.
“It feels like I did what I set out to do,” said J.D. “To even be able to have this concert and talk about it feels incredible.”
So So Def is back in the building. On the 20th anniversary of his famed label, Jermaine Dupri reunites his all-star roster for a “Celebration.” He remixes Game’s Jesus Piece single with some old and new So So Def artists including Jagged Edge, Da Brat, Dondria, Fresco Kane, and Bow Wow.
J.D. will host a So So Def anniversary concert at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on February 23. Tickets go on sale Saturday.
