Lil Jon announced the tragic death of his son, DJ Young Slade, at 27 on Friday.
He made the anguished announcement shortly after police in Milton, Georgia, said a body recovered from a pond near Young Slade’s home was believed to be him, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta.
Just days earlier, Lil Jon’s son had been reported missing after reportedly running out of his house in Milton on Tuesday.
‘I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,’ the 55-year-old rapper said in a statement to the Daily Mail. ‘His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated.
‘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 added.
Lil Jon (real name: Jonathan H. Smith) described his son as ‘an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU.’
Lil Jon announced the tragic death of his son, DJ Young Slade (L), at 27 on Friday. ‘I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,’ the rapper, 55, said in a statement to the Daily Mail. ‘His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated’
He made the anguished announcement shortly after police in Milton, Georgia, said a body recovered from a pond near Young Slade’s home was believed to be him
‘We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,’ the Turn Down For What hitmaker continued. ‘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 thanked the Milton Police Department for its assistance in the search for Slade.
Although police have now confirmed that it was his body that was recovered from a nearby pond, it will be up to the medical examiner’s office to make the official confirmation and to determine the manner and cause of his death.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time,’ the Milton Police Department said in a statement. ‘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.’
Police added that, ‘Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play.’
However, they added that the case would be considered ‘an open and active investigation’ for the time being,’ and no additional details will be announced until after the Fulton County Medical Examiner had weighed in.
Aerial footage of the pond near Slade’s house showed a large number of law enforcement vehicles, and officers were later seen pulling what appeared to be the body out of the water later in the day, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Police previously released a missing person’s alert for Slade which reported that he was last seen ‘in the vicinity of Baldwin Dr./Mayfield Rd. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 0600 hours’.
‘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 added; Lil Jon and Nathan are pictured in 2018 in NYC
‘We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,’ the Turn Down For What hitmaker continued. ‘He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him’
A body believed to be Slade’s was recovered from a pond near his home on Friday (pictured). He was reported missing on Tuesday after he reportedly ran out of his house on Tuesday
Although police have now confirmed that it was his body that was recovered from a nearby pond, it will be up to the medical examiner’s office to make the official confirmation and to determine the manner and cause of his death
Slade had been missing since running ‘out of his house’ and was believed to be ‘disoriented and in need of assistance.’
The alert noted that Slade — who is 5ft9in and weighs 150 pounds — did not have a phone.
A representative for Lil Jon told The Daily Mail that the family were ‘concerned for his safety’ and were seeking prayers for his return.
‘Family and friends are concerned for his safety,’ the representative said. ‘The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you.’
The Daily Mail has contacted the Milton Police Department for comment but has not yet heard back.
Slade, whom Lil Jon shared with his ex Nicole Smith, developed a calling for music like his father.
‘When my son graduated from DJ academy I teared-up to see him following in my footsteps,’ Lil Jon told the Huffington Post in 2014.
Being a father is a top priority for Lil Jon, who even turned down an appearance on Saturday Night Live to celebrate his son’s birthday.
Aerial footage of the pond near Slade’s house showed a large number of law enforcement vehicles, according to Fox 5 Atlanta
Officers were later seen pulling what appeared to be the body out of the water later in the day, after creating a makeshift platform at the edge of the water
Lil Jon made his anguished announcement just days after his son was reported missing in Milton, Georgia, after reportedly running out of his house on Tuesday. A missing person’s alert for Smith was released by the Milton Police Department
The Milton Police Department said he is 5ft9in and weighs 150 pounds
A rep for his father said ‘the family are ‘concerned for his safety’ and are seeking prayers for his return
Like his father, Slade had a passion for music
Lil Jon revealed he was touched by his son’s decision to pursue music
‘I made a pact that I would never miss a birthday — I’ve been there for every one of his birthdays,’ he told the publication. ‘One time when “Yeah!” was out, Usher got invited to do Saturday Night Live and he asked me… to come and I had to decline because it was my son’s birthday… I chose my son over the opportunity.’
Slade’s music career started to flourish after he graduated ‘scratch’ academy as a child, obtaining DJing gigs at Los Angeles clubs before making his own music.
‘He started DJing at 11 years old,’ Lil Jon told The Big Podcast in 2023. ‘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.’
Lil Jon believes Slade’s music career was ‘destined’.
‘It’s literally in your kid’s genes to do what you do,’ he said during his podcast appearance. ‘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.’
Slade was clearly proud of being the son of Lil Jon as well.
Last year, Slade reflected on his father’s memorable MTV moments on the MTV show Family Legacy and also competed with his dad on Celebrity Family Feud.
Slade celebrated making Family Feud history with his father with photos from their appearance on Instagram.
‘Just some of the many cool thangs i been doin lately. Been feeling good life been taking me to amazing places and im enjoying the journey. Me and my dad @liljon made history playing Family Feud together and s/o @e40 @tooshort @shawtyputt its a family affair!!’
