Early Life & Formation
Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, born January 10, 1979, in Atlanta, Georgia, is a professional person. Benteen Elementary School introduced him to Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly in first grade. Their love of rhythm and wordplay led them to neighbourhood park freestyles at age 11. Formative years included:
| Year | Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 0 | Birth of Christopher Smith in Atlanta, GA |
| 1985 | 6 | First-grade enrollment; meets James Kelly |
| 1989 | 10 | Begins writing simple rhymes with Kelly |
| 1991 | 12 | Discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri at mall |
Smith and Kelly attended Woodward Academy (Fulton County, GA) from 1990 to 1991, balancing academics (Smith eventually majored in marketing/business) with music careers. Dupri discovered Kris-Kross at Greenbriar Mall on March 11, 1991, marking the official launch of the brand.
Kris Kross Breakthrough
The duo’s debut album Totally Krossed Out was released March 31, 1992, when Smith and Kelly were 13 and 14, respectively. Their single “Jump” dominated radio and television:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 31, 1992 |
| Smith’s Age at Release | 13 years, 2 months |
| Kelly’s Age at Release | 13 years, 7 months |
| “Jump” Peak Chart Position | #1 on Billboard Hot 100 (8 weeks) |
| Album Peak Position | #1 on Billboard 200 |
| First-Week Sales | 171,000 copies |
| Certification | 4× Platinum (4,000,000 units) |
Key milestones:
- April 1992: “Jump” becomes the first hip‑hop single by under-15 artists to top the Hot 100 for multiple weeks.
- May 1992: Totally Krossed Out enters the Billboard 200 at #1, selling over 171,000 copies in week one.
- August 1992: First world tour leg ends in London after 25 European shows alongside pop and R&B acts.
Their sophomore project, Da Bomb, released May 25, 1993, featured collaborations and a harder edge:
| Track | Feature | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| “Da Bomb” | Da Brat | Platinum |
| “Warm It Up” | — | Gold |
| Album Peak Position | #25 on Billboard 200 | — |
| Total Sales | 1,000,000+ | Platinum |
Despite lower sales, Da Bomb solidified Smith’s reputation for adaptability—shifting from pop‑rap to street‑influenced beats while retaining his trademark youthful energy.
Discography & Achievements
Album Releases
| Album | Release Date | Peak Billboard 200 | Certification | Notable Single |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totally Krossed Out | Mar 31, 1992 | #1 | 4× Platinum | “Jump” |
| Da Bomb | May 25, 1993 | #25 | Platinum | “Warm It Up” |
| Young, Rich & Dangerous | July 9, 1996 | #47 | Gold | “Tonite’s tha Night” |
Chart Statistics
| Year | Single | Chart Peak (Hot 100) | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | “Jump” | #1 | 20 |
| 1992 | “Warm It Up” | #14 | 16 |
| 1993 | “Da Bomb” | #35 | 10 |
| 1996 | “Tonite’s tha Night” | #72 | 8 |
Cumulative metrics:
- Total Albums Sold: Over 6 million worldwide by 1997.
- Total Singles Sold: Over 8 million digital and physical units combined.
- Tour Dates (1992–1994): 120 shows across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Style & Cultural Impact
Chris Smith’s signature backward-wear aesthetic became an immediate youth fashion phenomenon:
- Backwards Clothing: Initiated September 1991; inspired imitators globally.
- Hat Styling: Worn backward 97 percent of early performances.
- Music Videos: Featured reverse camera techniques to enhance the backwards theme.
Other influences:
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Dance Moves | Pioneered the “Krossed Step” |
| Language | Popularized phrases like “Kross yo’ heart” |
| Media Appearances | 15 television show features 1992–1994 |
Their branding—driven by Smith’s marketing insight—showcased synergy between music and youth culture, elevating streetwear in mainstream retail outlets (50 percent sales increase in Q2 1992).
Post‑Duo Career: One Life & Urbane Muse
After Young, Rich & Dangerous (1996), the duo amicably parted ways. Chris Smith then focused on entrepreneurship and the arts:
| Year | Venture | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | One Life Entertainment, Inc. | Founder & CEO |
| 2004 | Urbane Muse (Atlanta, GA) | Co‑founder; visual artist |
| 2010 | First Solo Art Exhibition | Atlanta Contemporary Gallery |
| 2015 | Published Urban Reflections | Coffee-table art book |
As a talent incubator, One-Life Entertainment signed three unsigned Atlanta acts from 2000-2005. Over 150 paintings, apparel, and short films were created by Urbane Muse by 2020.
Smith’s commercial acumen from Woodward Academy marketing studies drove:
- 30 percent annual growth for Urbane Muse (2012–2018).
- Gallery exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, and Berlin.
- Collaborations with over 20 visual artists and filmmakers.
Personal Life & Community Engagement
Smith has maintained ties to Atlanta and broadened his reach through philanthropy:
| Initiative | Year Launched | Focus Area | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Inspiration Foundation | 2008 | Youth arts education | 5,000 students served |
| Atlanta Backward Festival | 2012 | Music & street style | 10,000 attendees |
| Annual Charity Gala | 2018 | Homeless outreach | $500,000 raised |
Residences and personal details:
- Primary Home: 3,800 sq ft loft in Midtown Atlanta (acquired 2002).
- Secondary Property: 2‑bedroom condo in Chicago, IL (acquired 2010) used for art retreats.
- Marital Status: Single; no public record of marriage or children.
- Education: Completed marketing/business certification, 1997; continuous professional development.
Smith’s community work combines his right-brained artistic talent with left-brained organisational abilities to empower under-represented kids, particularly in creative fields.
Legacy & Influence
Chris Smith’s impact spans music, fashion, visual arts, and social initiatives:
| Domain | Contribution | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Pioneered child‑artist success | Youngest hip‑hop act at age 11 |
| Fashion | Sparked a 25 percent jump in youth apparel sales (1992) | |
| Arts | Showcased over 150 works internationally by 2020 | |
| Philanthropy | Over 10,000 youth reached through programs |
Smith’s trajectory exemplifies:
- Entrepreneurial Transition: From chart‑topping artist to business leader.
- Cultural Resonance: Backward-wear remains a nod in modern streetwear cycles.
- Social Responsibility: Demonstrates sustained investment in community wellbeing.
FAQ
When was Chris Smith born?
He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 10, 1979.
What was Kris Kross’s debut album?
Their debut was Totally Krossed Out, released March 31, 1992.
How long did “Jump” stay at #1?
“Jump” led the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks.
What businesses did Smith found?
He founded One Life Entertainment in 1999 and co‑founded Urbane Muse in 2004.
Does Chris Smith have children?
No public records show he has children.
What philanthropic work does he do?
He launched Urban Inspiration Foundation in 2008, serving over 5,000 students.
Where does he reside now?
He primarily lives in a 3,800 sq ft loft in Midtown Atlanta.
What is his educational background?
He completed a marketing/business certification in 1997 at Woodward Academy.
