LIL Jon confirmed the death of his son Nathan Smith on Friday in a heartbreaking statement.
Nathan, also known as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing earlier this week after leaving his home under “unusual circumstances.”
Lil Jon has confirmed that his son, Nathan Smith, has died
Georgia officials revealed that the body of Nathan, also known as DJ Young Slade, was believed to have been recovered from a pondCredit: Getty
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated,” the rap star told TMZ about his son’s passing.
“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. 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 son was reported missing in Georgia on February 3rd, after officers determined he “had left his residence under unusual circumstances” earlier that day.
On Friday, the Milton Police Department announced that they’d recovered a body from a pond they believed to be Nathan, following expanded search efforts after Nathan’s disappearance.
It has yet to be confirmed that the body was, in fact, Nathan’s.
“After being unable to locate Mr. Smith during that time, teams expanded the search to include a pond in Mayfield Park near Smith’s Milton residence,” the department’s statement read.
“On February 6, 2026, at approximately 11:53 a.m., divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the pond.
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
They also noted that an investigation is still “open and active,” though there is “no indication of foul play.”
“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,” the statement continued.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time. The department respectfully asks the community and members of the media to honor the family’s request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy.”
Nathan was last seen at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday before he “ran out of his house,” according to the Milton Police Department.
Officials also said he “may be disoriented and in need of assistance,” and that his family and friends were “concerned for his safety.
Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan Smith, shares Nathan with his estranged wife, Nicole Smith, with whom the Turn Down for What rapper has been separated for several years.
Nathan followed in his father’s musical footsteps, releasing his latest single, Feels, in March 2025.
“It’s literally in your kid’s genes to do what you do,” Lil Jon said about the New York University graduate exploring music production in a 2023 appearance on The Big Podcast.
“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.”
Lil Jon broke out in the music industry in the early 2000s after his track, Get Low, with The East Side Boyz, and Yeah! with Usher gained massive success.
Lil Jon’s son was reported missing earlier this week after he ‘ran out’ out his Georgia houseCredit: WAGA-TV
The Milton Police Department said there was ‘no indication of foul play’ but the investigation remains ‘open and active’Credit: WAGA-TV
The police also stated that Nathan may have been ‘disoriented’ when his fled his homeCredit: Milton Police Department
