Lil Jon says putting his thoughts on paper, and support from peers and fans, have helped him in the four months since the tragic death of his son DJ Young Slade at 27.
The Atlanta native, 55, chat on Tuesday with TMZ at LAX, where he was asked about how he’s coping in the wake of the tragedy.
The body of DJ Young Slade, whose real name was Nathan Smith, was recovered from a pond near his family’s Milton, Georgia home on February 6.
Fulton County medical examiners said in an autopsy report reviewed by the Daily Mail that the death was ruled accidental, with toxicology reports indicating he had psilocybin (which is found in hallucinogenic mushrooms) in his system.
The Get Low artist said that penning his memoir I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me – which includes a memorial to his late son – made for a cathartic process.
‘It’s really just everything about my life, how I got my start, all the ups and downs of the music industry, and then my son’s passing happened when we were done,’ he said.
Lil Jon, 55, says putting his thoughts on paper, and support from peers and fans, have helped him in the four months since the tragic death of his son DJ Young Slade at 27. Pictured last week in Tennessee
The rapper continued, ‘So we went back in and included me talking about my experiences with that and how it was processing and dealing with all of that in the book as well.’
Lil Jon said that he hoped the book, which comes out in October, can help provide a lift to others who have experienced immeasurable loss.
‘I look at it like me telling my story and what I’m going through could help someone else to get through it, because I’m not alone,’ Lil Jon said.
The Turn Down for What rapper added: ‘I just felt like I needed to be able to express everything that I was going through so somebody else out there that’s going through it can see that they can get through it as well.’
Lil Jon said that he was touched by ‘so many people reaching out and sending me prayers and love’ following the family tragedy.
He added, ‘And then also other celebrities reaching out that have experienced loss, and similar loss, giving me, you know, the opportunity to speak to them if I needed to.’
Lil Jon said that he felt his life experience was God helping prepare him for ‘everything that was starting to happen or got me ready for it.’
He said his spirituality helped set him up ‘in a different mindset’ so he could ‘deal with the loss’ of his son ‘and not spiral’ as a result.
The body of DJ Young Slade, whose real name was Nathan Smith, was recovered from a pond near his family’s Milton, Georgia home on February 6. Pictured 2025 in Georgia
The father and son were pictured at an October 2018 event in NYC
‘And it could make you spiral and go into dark places that I did not,’ he said.
Lil Jon paid tribute to his late son in a statement February 6, saying he and his son’s mother Nicole Smith were ‘extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son.’
The statement continued, ‘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.’
Lil Jon said in a February 19 Instagram post, ‘On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family.
‘Please pray that Allah grants him Jannah and grants us sabr, mercy, and strength. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.’
He concluded, ‘I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength. Also thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences, love, and prayers we appreciate you all.
‘I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name. Nathan Murray Smith.’
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