Lil Jon is reflecting on the loss of his son in his upcoming memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me. According to All Hip Hop, the book shares the final text messages exchanged between the rapper and Nathan Smith, who died from an accidental drowning. The conversation sheds light on Smith’s anxiety surrounding his upcoming music releases. Smith was also a musician who performed under the name DJ Young Slade.
Lil Jon reassured his son that he loved him and wanted to see him overcome his struggles, offering his support and encouragement. “I’m going to stop letting fear hold me back,” Smith reportedly told his father.
Smith was scheduled to meet with a therapist later that same day, but the appointment never took place. Tragically, Lil Jon learned that his son was missing the following day. Nathan died on February 3rd, 2026.
Days after Nathan Smith’s death, Lil Jon confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional tribute to his son on Instagram.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” the statement read. “His mother [Nicole Smith] and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever met. 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. 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.”
Lil Jon’s memoir is scheduled for release on October 20th. The book will explore his upbringing, his rise to commercial success, and the later stages of his career.
