Lil Jon‘s son Nathan Smith has died at 27.
The rapper’s son, who was known professionally as DJ Young Slade, was confirmed dead by his family in a statement released moments after police confirmed they found a body in a pond.
Nathan was reported missing on Tuesday. Police say that he “ran out of his house and has been missing since,” adding that he “may be disoriented and in need of assistance.”
The Milton Police Department in Georgia confirmed on Friday, “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.”
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The statement added, “Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play. However, the Milton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will continue to treat this as an open and active investigation. 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.”
Lil Jon has released a statement in response to the devastating news.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. 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 told TMZ.
The rapper continued, “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.”
We’re sending our thoughts and condolences to Nathan‘s loved ones during this difficult time.