Lil Jon Reveals Final Texts With Son Nathan Before His Death

Lil Jon shared the final text exchange with his son, Nathan Smith, revealing a private conversation about love, fear, anxiety and a father’s worry.

The messages appear in Lil Jon’s upcoming memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me. Nathan had been struggling with anxiety and felt nervous about how listeners would receive new music he planned to release.

Lil Jon told his son he stayed on him because he cared and wanted him to get better. Nathan asked for credit for working through his problems. In a later message, he promised his father, “I’m going to stop letting fear hold me back.”

Lil Jon answered with reassurance and concern. He told Nathan he was his only son, called him talented and smart and said nothing should hold him back.

Nathan was expected to speak with his therapist later that day. The appointment did not happen. The next day, Lil Jon learned his son was missing.

Nathan, who performed and produced music as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing in Milton, Georgia, on February 3.

Divers recovered a body from a pond near his home three days later. Authorities said at the time there was no indication of foul play and kept the investigation open while the medical examiner worked to determine the cause and manner of death.

Lil Jon and Nathan’s mother, Nicole Smith, confirmed the 27-year-old’s death in a joint statement. The rapper described him as a producer, artist, engineer and New York University graduate. Reuters reported that Lil Jon thanked police and the public for helping search for him.

Nathan was laid to rest February 18, the first day of Ramadan. Lil Jon later pledged to keep his son’s talent and name alive.

The family also said they found comfort in knowing they expressed their love and pride during their final time together. That detail gives the newly disclosed messages even greater emotional weight months after the funeral.

The 304-page memoir arrives October 20 through Atria and Black Privilege Publishing. Its official publisher page says Lil Jon covers his Atlanta upbringing, crunk’s rise, burnout and reinvention. The final texts make that story’s hardest chapter painfully current.