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By Gabe Whisnant
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Rapper Lil Jon said he is “extremely heartbroken” after his son, Nathan Smith, 27, was found dead in a pond in a north Atlanta, calling the loss devastating for his family.
Smith, who performed as DJ Young Slade, had been building his own career in music. He performed as a DJ and artist and had appeared in recent years in music‑industry projects, including MTV’s Family Legacy, a television series focused on the children of prominent musicians.
In a statement shared with Newsweek, Lil Jon, an Atlanta‑based rapper and producer, described his son as a kind and talented young man and thanked law enforcement agencies and volunteers who helped search for him in the days before his death.
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The statement read, "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother [Nicole Smith] and I are devastated.
"Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted - he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU."
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Lil Jon continued, "We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him."
When did Lil Jon’s Son, Nathan Smith, Go Missing?
On Tuesday, Smith left his home “under unusual circumstances” on Baldwin Drive in Milton, Georgia, 30 miles north of Atlanta. The Milton Police Department said in a Facebook post that Smith did not have his phone with him and may be disoriented or in need of assistance.
He “left on foot and does not possess a phone,” police said. “He may be disoriented and in need of assistance. Family and friends are concerned for his safety.”
"The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you," a representative for Lil Jon told Newsweek on Wednesday.
When Was the Body Found?
After expanding their search, divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located a body in a pond near Smith's residence at about 11:53 a.m. on Friday, according to a statement from the Milton Police Department.
"The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith," the police statement said. "Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play," police said, adding that they'll continue to treat this "as an open and active investigation. No further details will be released until the official cause and manner of death are determined by the Fulton County Medical Examiner and all investigative leads have been thoroughly examined."
Where Does Lil Jon Live?
Lil Jon, born Jonathan H. Smith, resides in Milton, Georgia, a suburb north of Atlanta, where his son Nathan was reported missing and later found. Lil Jon has lived in the area for years and built his family life in the Atlanta region.
The rapper and producer helped popularize the crunk subgenre of hip‑hop. He is best known for hits including the 2002 song “Get Low” with his group the East Side Boyz and the 2013 international hit “Turn Down For What” with DJ Snake.
Lil Jon also has a daughter, Nahara, who was born in 2024.
Updates: 2/6/26, 5:07 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 2/6/26, 6:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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