At 46 years old, Chris Smith, the last surviving member of the legendary ‘90s rap duo Kriss Kross, is finally opening up about the truth behind the fame, the fallout, and the heartbreaking loss that changed everything.

For years, the name Kriss Kross brought back memories of backward jeans, high-energy performances, and a cultural phenomenon that took the early ‘90s by storm.

Discovered by music mogul Jermaine Dupri when they were just 13 years old, Chris Smith and Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly became overnight sensations. Their debut single “Jump” became a global anthem, topping charts and redefining what it meant to be a young artist in hip hop.

But while the world saw two confident teenagers riding the wave of fame, few knew the emotional and personal challenges happening behind the scenes.

Now, over three decades later, and more than a decade after Kelly’s tragic death in 2013, Smith is breaking his silence and finally exposing everything—from the pressures of childhood stardom to the painful truth about his best friend’s struggles.

In a deeply emotional interview, Smith revealed that the whirlwind success of Kriss Kross came with a heavy cost. “We were kids. We didn’t know what was coming. One day we were in middle school, and the next we were on tour buses and TV screens,” he explained. “It was exciting, but it was also overwhelming.”

Smith described the early days of their fame as a blur of rehearsals, performances, and interviews. “We were barely sleeping. Everything moved so fast. We didn’t really get to be kids,” he said. “There was a lot of pressure to keep the image, the energy, the brand.”

The duo’s signature look—baggy clothes worn backward—was a clever marketing move that worked. But behind the smiles and playful image, both boys were navigating intense schedules, industry expectations, and limited control over their own lives.

As they got older, things began to shift. Their second and third albums didn’t achieve the same success as their debut, and the world’s attention started to fade. “We went from being on top of the world to being forgotten almost overnight,” Smith said. “That kind of fall is hard—especially when you’re just a teenager trying to figure out who you are.”

Smith admitted that the post-fame years were tough on both of them. While he tried to stay grounded, his partner Chris Kelly struggled with addiction and depression. “Mac was battling a lot,” Smith shared, his voice breaking.

“He was in pain, and he didn’t always know how to talk about it. We both went through dark times, but his demons were louder.”

Kelly’s death in 2013 from a drug overdose shook Smith to his core. It wasn’t just the loss of a bandmate—it was the loss of a brother. “That was the hardest day of my life,” he said. “I still remember the call. It felt like a part of me died too.”

In the years following Kelly’s passing, Smith took time away from the public eye. He turned to therapy, faith, and self-reflection to heal and find purpose beyond Kriss Kross. “For a long time, I didn’t know who I was without the group. I had to rebuild myself.”

Now, at 46, Smith says he feels a responsibility to share their full story—not just the highs, but the real struggles they endured. “I don’t want people to only remember the hit songs. I want them to understand what we went through, what Mac went through, and how important it is to take care of your mental and emotional health.”

As part of his journey, Smith is working on a memoir and documentary that will dive into their rise to fame, the bond they shared, and the harsh reality of being a child star in a system not built to protect them.

“There’s so much people don’t know,” he said. “We were kids doing grown-man things, and we didn’t always have the guidance we needed.”

He’s also launching a foundation in honor of Chris Kelly, aimed at helping young artists navigate the entertainment industry safely and responsibly. “If we had had someone to guide us, maybe things would’ve been different,” he reflected. “Now I want to be that person for someone else.”

Smith hasn’t left music behind entirely. He continues to write, record, and collaborate with artists behind the scenes. But he says fame no longer drives him. “I’m not chasing hits anymore. I’m chasing truth, peace, and legacy.”

When asked if he still listens to Kriss Kross music, Smith smiled. “I do. Sometimes it makes me cry, sometimes it makes me laugh. But every time, I feel grateful. We did something special. We made history.”

As he opens this new chapter of life, Smith hopes that his story—and the story of Kriss Kross—will inspire others to speak their truth, heal their wounds, and cherish the people they love while they’re still here.

“At 46, I’m finally free to tell our story the way it deserves to be told. And I’m doing it for both of us—for me and for Mac,” Smith concluded. “He may be gone, but he’s still with me. Always.”

This raw and honest revelation is not just a walk down memory lane—it’s a testament to survival, brotherhood, and the power of healing. Chris Smith’s voice is louder than ever, and this time, the world is truly listening.

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