90s Nostalgia: The Lasting Impact of Kris Kross' 'Jump' Single Cover; Art on Wax
going down memory lane, to a time where walkmans were a thing and to ride the subway in nyc you needed a token.
Below is a revised version because, you know, perfectionist. The updated version may differ from the original emailed version.
In this week’s Art on Wax, we're heading to the ATL to hang with two teens who had us all in a chokehold with "Jump" back in '92. This isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a deep dive into the visual and cultural impact of Kris Kross’ iconic single cover.
What we gonna do right here is go back. Way back. Back into time.
First things first, let's talk about a personal connection. Picture it: February 6th, 1992. Kris Kross drops "Jump" just eight days before my fifth birthday. My mom's vinyl collection was sacred; her name was prominently and conspicuously inked on the front of each record. I remember staring for hours at that "Jump" single cover, my young mind blown by the sheer coolness of Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith. These guys weren't just kids; they were legends in the making.
To clarify, artists used to drop singles before the album dropped. So please do not confuse The “Jump” single cover with their actual album cover for Totally Krossed Out, below.
Don't try to compare us to another bad little fad
You do know that "Jump" is a diss track, right? Oh yes! Listen to it with grown folk ears, and you'll hear the shots, clear as day, against Michael Bivins' boy group, Another Bad Creation, ABC. Lines like "everything is to the back with a little slack / 'Cause inside out, it's wiggida wiggida wiggida wack" were clear shots at ABC, who wore their clothes inside out. It's wild when you think about adults writing diss tracks for kids. Jermaine Dupri and company were operating on a whole 'nother level of petty.
Warm Up It Kris
Now, let's talk about that iconic cover. Chris and Chris, with their backward pants, bomber jackets, and shades, standing against that desolate backdrop, that big green double “K” cutting through it. My West Indian mom wasn't having any of that backward clothes nonsense, so I knew better than to ask. But man, did I think it was dope. They looked like they were saying, "We're here, we're different, and you're gonna remember us.
The turned-around "K's" in the logo, making an "X," always led me to believe that they were giving a nod to Malcolm X. This is ironic because the movie was released later that year. This cover wasn't just a picture but a declaration of rebellion and individuality.
everything is to the back with a little slack · 'Cause inside out, it's wiggida wiggida wiggida wack
Kris Kross were icons for their time. Wearing the clothes backward was the ultimate act of rebellion. These two young teens radiated charisma, their appeals making it easy to believe that everything is possible. Relatable but larger-than-life is tough to hit on balance.
Ain't nuthin' soft about Kris Kross, we all that
"Jump" wasn't just a hit but a cultural phenomenon. It lived on top of Billboard's Hot 100 for eight weeks, literally throwing Kris Kross into the limelight and putting them on the path to immediate icon status. They influenced fashion, music, and youth culture in ways that still resonate today. That cover is a snapshot of a time when hip-hop was fun, vibrant, and unapologetically bold.
is this the endddddd?
The cover of Kris Kross’s “Jump” single is more than just an image; it’s a vibe. It’s bold, memorable, and dripping with the youthful energy that made Kris Kross legends. I know the cover may seem simple to some, but for me, it is more of a sentimental ting (word to lil vicious). It brings me back to when I had no bills, my parents did everything for me, and I was not stressed over adult life.
The cherry on top is that the song still has my head nodding today. Sadly, Chris Kelly passed away, so a reunion will never happen for us grown folks who remember the days when Kris Kross ruled the airwaves. I tried to see if there were videos of them performing Jump as adults before Kelly passed, but I haven’t found anything yet.
If you ever come across their debut album Totally Krossed Out, one of their single album covers or hear “Jump” playing somewhere, take a moment to appreciate the duo’s place in hip-hop history.
Until next time,
Stay bold, stay brilliant, and remember, as Jay-Z says, You could be anywhere in the world, but you're here with me. I appreciate that!
With love & creativity
-Shadé
Ok, don’t laugh — I also thought that about the Ks and still didn’t know they were Ks until I read this!