Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly's funeral took place on Thursday at the Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, Kelly's hometown.
Kelly, who died last Thursday at the age of 34, was found unresponsive in his Atlanta home at around 4:30 p.m. He was taken to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead by a drug overdose.
Kelly's mother said that the drugs that eventually took her son's life were most likely a combination of cocaine and heroin. She told Hollywood Life that Chris had been doing the two drugs in conjunction with one another-called 'speedballing'-and had a history of extensive drug use.
At the funeral, many attendees wore their pants backwards in memory of the deceased rappers.
A few members of rap group Xscape, who were on the same label as Kris Kross, Chris Smith, Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat were among the congregation at the ceremony.
Kelly, who also went by the nickname "Mac Daddy," along with Chris Smith, known as, "Daddy Mac" comprised the rap duo Kris Kross. Originally formed by So So Def and Island Records producer Jermaine Dupri, the two Chrises were famous for wearing their pants backwards, and for their 1992 song, "Jump."
Chris Smith spoke at the funeral. In his eulogy, he said he would try his best to ensure Chris Kelly was never forgotten.
"My life...it ain't ever gonna be the same," he said. "But just hope our legacy for hip-hop is never forgotten. I'm gonna do my part to make sure Chris' legacy will live on."
Chris' uncle Lemar Williams spoke to reporters outside the Murray Brothers Funeral Home, teary eyed and worn-out.
"He will be very missed, especially within our family," he said. "To the world he was Kris Kross, but to us he was just Chris."
