Public viewing held for former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly

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  Feb. 23, 2013: In this file photo, Chris Kelly of Kris Kross performs on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert.AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATLANTA –  An uncle of former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly was among the mourners Wednesday at an Atlanta funeral home and said his nephew was a good person who loved his family and was very devoted to his mother and grandmother.

"He will be very missed, especially within our family," Lemar Williams said outside the Murray Brothers Funeral Home. "To the world he was Kris Kross, but to us he was just Chris."

The 34-year-old was found dead May 1 of a suspected drug overdose. Williams and Kelly's mother, Donna Kelly Pratte, told authorities Kelly had a history of drug abuse and experienced similar episodes in the past, according to a police report.

Kelly loved music from an early age and would listen to Michael Jackson and mimic his dance moves, Williams said. He loved Atlanta and never wanted to live anywhere else.

Kriss Kross was introduced to the music world in 1992 by music producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri after he discovered the pair at Greenbriar Mall in southwest Atlanta. Kelly performed alongside Chris Smith, who known as "Daddy Mac."

The duo wore their clothes backward as a gimmick, but they won over fans with their raps.

Their first, and by far most successful song, was "Jump." The hit, off their multiplatinum 1992 debut album "Totally Krossed Out," featured the two trading verses and rapping the refrain, the song's title. The duo had surprising maturity in their rap delivery, though the song was written by Dupri. It would become a No. 1 smash in the United States and globally, and one of the most popular of that year.

Williams declined to speak about any recent troubles his nephew might have had, but said Kelly was preparing to make a comeback. Earlier this year, Kris Kross performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri's label, So So Def.

Ojeifua Sanni, a fan of Kris Kross, remembered getting his first CD ever on his 12th birthday -- Kris Kross' "Young, Rich & Dangerous." Sanni had been revisiting Kris Kross' music recently during a period of nostalgia.

"When I heard he died, it way too close to home," Sanni said.

Kelly's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta.

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Atlanta funeral scheduled for Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly

Published May 04, 2013

Associated Press

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  Feb. 23, 2013: In this file photo, Chris Kelly of Kris Kross performs on stage at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the So So Def 20th Anniversary Concert.AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATLANTA –  Funeral services are planned next week in Atlanta for former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly, who was found dead in his home from a possible drug overdose.

Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta confirmed Saturday that it will hold a public viewing for Kelly throughout the afternoon and evening Wednesday. A funeral service has been scheduled for Thursday at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church.

Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and Chris Smith, known as "Daddy Mac," made up the 1990s child rap duo Kris Kross known for wearing their clothes backward as they rhymed. Their song "Jump" became one of the decade's most memorable songs.

The 34-year-old Kelly died Wednesday. His mother told Fulton County police her son had become sick after using cocaine and heroin the night before he died.

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Rapper Lil Wayne says his epilepsy caused recent seizures

Published March 29, 2013

Associated Press

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  REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity

Lil Wayne says he’s an epileptic and has had seizures for years.

In an interview with Los Angeles-based radio station Power 106 on Thursday, the 30-year-old rapper said epilepsy caused his most recent health scare earlier this month, when he was rushed to a hospital. Wayne said he had three back-to-back seizures.

The Grammy winner says: “I’ve had a bunch of seizures, y’all just never hear about them.”

Wayne says he “could’ve died” and that the recent seizures were a result of “just plain stress, no rest, overworking myself.”

He released his 10th album, “I Am Not a Human Being II,” this week. He’ll embark on a 40-city tour in July with rappers T.I. and Future.

The New Orleans native, whose given name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is one of the biggest stars not only of his genre but in all music.

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Rapper Gucci Mane wanted in alleged assault at Atlanta nightclub

Published March 23, 2013

Associated Press

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  Oct. 2, 2010: In this file photo, rapper Gucci Mane arrives on the red carpet for the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.AP

ATLANTA –  An arrest warrant was issued for Gucci Mane after a fan told police the rapper hit him in the head with a champagne bottle at a downtown Atlanta nightclub.

James Lettley, of Fort Hood, Texas, said he was in Atlanta for his birthday and heard that the rapper -- whose real name is Radric Davis -- was going to be at the Harlem Nights Ultra Lounge promoting a new mixtape.

Lettley, 32, said Saturday he wanted to get a picture with the rapper and was talking to a security guard when he was hit March 16.

"Once he struck me in my head, I looked at him in a state of shock and looked at him like `why?"' Lettley said. He said he was then hit in his face by a second man and left the club.

Police said the assault appeared to be unprovoked and caused a severe gash to Lettley's head.

He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and said he had to get 10 stitches. Police said the rapper may have taken off in a white Chevrolet Tahoe.

Lyon said a warrant has been issued for aggravated assault. Calls to numbers listed for Davis were not returned Saturday. It's unclear if the rapper has an attorney.

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