Lil Jon Confirms Death of Son Nathan Smith After Body Recovered in Georgia

Update: 2/6/2026, 4:00 PM EST

Lil Jon Calls Son’s Death a “Tragic Loss”

Rapper Lil Jon has confirmed the death of his son, Nathan Smith, days after the 27-year-old was reported missing in Georgia.

In a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, Feb. 6, Lil Jon said he and Smith’s mother, Nicole Smith, are “extremely heartbroken” following the recovery of a body believed to be their son.

Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted,” Lil Jon said in the statement. “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.

The statement 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. Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days.”

Police in Milton, Georgia, said a body was recovered from a pond near Smith’s home at 11:53 a.m. Friday after authorities expanded their search. Divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located the body during the operation.

“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith,” the Milton Police Department said in a statement. Official confirmation of the identity will be made by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police added that there is currently “no indication of foul play,” but said the case remains an open and active investigation until the official cause and manner of death are determined.

Nathan Smith, who also performed under the name DJ Young Slade, was reported missing Tuesday, Feb. 3. According to police, he ran out of his home around 6 a.m. without his phone and was believed to be disoriented and in need of assistance.

Lil Jon’s representatives had previously asked for privacy and prayers as the search continued. The family has not released further details beyond Friday’s statement.

Lil Jon’s Son Nathan Reported Missing, Georgia Police Say

Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon, has been reported missing in Georgia.

Police in Milton issued a missing persons report Tuesday for Smith, who's also a rapper going by DJ Young Slade. Smith ran out of his home around 6 a.m. on February 3 and hasn't been seen since.

The concern is that he left on foot, disoriented, and didn't take his phone. The police report says he "may be disoriented and in need of assistance."

"Friends and family are concerned for his safety," police said, asking residents to contact the department with any information.

Lil Jon's rep gave a statement February 4. "The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you."

Who Nathan Smith Is

Lil Jon—legal name Jonathan Smith—is an Atlanta-born rapper and producer who blew up in the early 2000s. Known for tracks like "Snap Yo Fingers" and "Turn Down For What." Gets credited as one of the godfathers of modern club hip-hop.

Nathan Smith is his son with ex-partner Nicole Smith. They got married in 2004, separated in 2022. Nathan followed his dad into music, making his own mark on hip-hop.

"He started DJing at 11 years old," Lil Jon said in a 2023 interview with "The Big Podcast." "I put him in Scratch DJ Academy. He graduated at like 12 years old. He was the smallest thing in there in the graduation. Throughout his teenage years, he started DJing in clubs around L.A., and then he also started making music."

"It's literally in your kid's genes to do what you do," Lil Jon continued. "It is in their genes. It is in their DNA. We pass everything we get and we learn down to our children. So he was destined to be in the music business and do music."

Now Nathan's been missing since Monday morning. He ran out of his house at 6 a.m. without his phone. Police say he might be disoriented. Family's asking for privacy and prayers.

If you have seen Nathan Smith or have any information that could assist investigators, contact the Milton Police Department at 678-242-2570.