Heartfelt Interview Reveals Lil Jon's Fatherly Devotion Before Son's Tragic Death
The late son of renowned hip-hop artist Lil Jon, Nathan Smith, who performed professionally as DJ Young Slade, spoke with profound affection about his father's unwavering presence throughout his life during an interview conducted almost exactly one year before his untimely death at just twenty-seven years old. A poignant clip from Smith's conversation with the nonprofit organization 360 Baseline, originally recorded in March 2025, has recently resurfaced on social media platforms, gaining renewed attention following the tragic events surrounding his passing.
Father's Constant Presence Celebrated in Final Interview
In the emotional interview footage, Smith described his famous father as consistently present and actively involved in his upbringing, despite Lil Jon's demanding career as a pivotal figure in hip-hop music since the early 2000s. When questioned about how having an engaged father had impacted his life, Smith responded with heartfelt sincerity, stating, 'To be honest my dad was never the type who made me or put me in a place where I had to think about any of that because he was always there.' He elaborated further, emphasizing that his father would regularly attend his birthday celebrations even when professional commitments might have interfered, noting specifically, 'He was always showing up for my birthdays even if he had to perform somewhere.'
Smith went on to reveal that his father, the Grammy-winning producer behind massive hits including 'Turn Down for What' and 'Get Low,' would deliberately decline performance opportunities to prioritize family time. 'He would turn it down and come and be with me, birthdays, holidays,' Smith explained during the interview. He added thoughtfully, 'So, yeah, just having him letting me know he's there whether it was music, whether it was watching a movie at the end of the day or whatever it was, you don't really have to worry too much about that.' These tender recollections now carry a particularly bittersweet resonance following the devastating news of Smith's death.
Tragic Discovery Follows Missing Persons Report
The Milton Police Department in Georgia confirmed that a body recovered from a pond located near Smith's residence is believed to be that of the missing NYU graduate. Smith had been reported missing earlier in the week after reportedly running out of his Milton home on Tuesday. Authorities have stated there is currently no indication of foul play involved in the incident, though the case remains officially classified as an open and active investigation pending further examination by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office. The medical examiner will be responsible for providing official confirmation of identity and determining both the precise cause and manner of death.
Lil Jon, whose legal name is Jonathan H. Smith, issued an anguished public statement shortly before police announced the discovery, expressing profound heartbreak over the loss of his first child, whom he shared with his former spouse Nicole Smith. The fifty-five-year-old rapper and producer declared, 'I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated.' He continued with a moving tribute to his son's character, describing Nathan as 'the kindest human being you would ever meet' and praising him as 'immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate and warmhearted – he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.'
Musical Legacy and Family Tributes
Lil Jon further memorialized his son's talents and accomplishments, noting that Nathan was 'an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU.' The grieving father added, '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 also expressed gratitude toward the Milton Police Department for their assistance during the search efforts for his missing son.
Following the tragic confirmation, Lil Jon shared a touching photo slideshow on social media featuring cherished moments of father-son bonding from Nathan's childhood. The emotional tribute was accompanied by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's classic song 'One Sweet Day.' The collection of nostalgic images included tender photographs of the rapper peacefully sleeping alongside his young son, as well as pictures showing Nathan's early fascination with music equipment as he manipulated faders on what appeared to be a vintage mixing board. One particularly poignant image captured Lil Jon cradling his infant son while Nathan's mother Nicole looked on lovingly.
The Milton Police Department released an official statement extending 'deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time' while respectfully requesting that both community members and media representatives honor the family's desire for privacy as they navigate their profound grief. Aerial footage from the scene near Smith's residence showed numerous law enforcement vehicles gathered around the pond area, with officers later observed retrieving what appeared to be a body from the water according to local news reports.
This heartbreaking tragedy occurs during a period of personal transition for Lil Jon, who revealed earlier this year that he had separated from Nicole Smith two years prior in 2022. The artist has since entered a relationship with Jamila Sozahdah, known for her appearance on Hulu's reality series 'Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs.' The couple welcomed a daughter named Nahara in November 2025, adding another layer of complexity to the family's current emotional landscape as they mourn the loss of their beloved son and brother.
