Lil Jon Recalls Final Conversation With Son Nathan Before He Drowned: ‘The Next Day, I Got the Call He Was Missing’
Lil Jon has recounted his last conversation with his son, Nathan Smith, in an excerpt from his forthcoming memoir. He described apologising after speaking with his therapist, telling Nathan that he recognised his efforts and wanted him to know he was seen and heard.
The next day, 3 February, Lil Jon was told Nathan was missing; authorities found his body in a Georgia pond on 6 February. Nathan was 27 and produced music as DJ Young Slade. The medical examiner said he died accidentally by drowning in the setting of psilocybin use. The memoir excerpt also describes Nathan’s emotional difficulties, physical pain and therapy.
- Lil Jon shares his final exchange with his son.
- Nathan Smith was found dead at 27.
- His death was ruled an accidental drowning.
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Lil Jon is the stage name of Jonathan Smith, an American rapper and producer known for helping popularise crunk, a style of hip-hop. His son Nathan Smith also made music, performing and producing as DJ Young Slade.
The account refers to Nathan’s death in Georgia in February, aged 27. The medical examiner ruled that he died accidentally by drowning, with psilocybin use as a contributing circumstance; psilocybin is a hallucinogenic substance. The story draws on Lil Jon’s forthcoming memoir and describes their relationship alongside Nathan’s struggles and treatment.