Jump – Kris Kross | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 8 weeks) and R&B(#2); 1992

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

In April of 1992, two kids, and I do mean kids, ousted Save The Best For Last by former Miss America Vanessa Williams from its spot at the top. The two kids in question, Chris “Mack Daddy” Smith and Chris “Daddy Mack” Kelly, caught the eye of producer Jermaine Dupri when the boys approached his group, Silk Tymes Leather, for autographs in an Atlanta shopping mall.

In the charismatic 11 and 12 year old boys, the still-teenaged Dupri instantly recognized a golden opportunity. Taking notice of the jumping performers and fans at a rap concert, Dupri crafted Jump in an hour, then added a sample of the Jackson 5’s I Want You Back for insurance.

The single did little for two months until an appearance by Kris Kross on In Living Color ramped up demand. Eight weeks on top and two million singles later, Kris Kross was playing with the big kids, finishing up at #3 behind I Will Always Love You (14 weeks at #1) and End Of The Road (13 weeks at #1).

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

• Jermaine Dupri
• Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo

Lyrics Written by:

• Jermaine Dupri
• Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo
• Alphonso Mizell
• Berry Gordy
• Deke Richards
• Freddie Perren
• Marshall “Rock” Jones
• Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner
• Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrooks
• Gregory “Greg” Webster
• Clarence “Satch” Satchell
• Bruce Napier
• Walter “Junie” Morrison
• Marvin “Merv” Pierce
• Roy C. Hammond
• Louis Freese
• Lawrence Muggerud
• Senen Reyes
• Lowell Fulson
• Jimmy McCracklin
• James Brown
• J.B. Weaver Jr.
• Anthony Criss
• Kier Gist
• Vincent Brown
• Herb Rooney