Lil Jon Shares Heartbreaking Tribute To Late Son Nathan “DJ Young Slade” Smith

Lil Jon is opening up about the crushing pain of losing his son, Nathan “DJ Young Slade” Smith, sharing several emotional tributes that highlight the bond they shared.

The Atlanta rap legend took to Instagram to post a series of throwback photos from Nathan’s childhood, giving fans a glimpse into their private life before the fame. The vulnerability in his message was obvious, as he captioned the images, “this hurts so bad, I love you son.”

Beyond the childhood memories, Lil Jon also took a moment to celebrate Nathan’s talent and his drive to make it in the music industry on his own terms. He shared a screenshot of a song Nathan produced and released right after finishing school, expressing how much it meant to see his son succeed independently. “SLADE RELEASED THIS WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. HE WAS SO HAPPY TO EXPRESS HIS ART N DO IT HIMSELF. I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM FOR DOING IT ALL ON HIS OWN,” the rapper shared.

Nathan, an NYU graduate, had been carving out his own path as a producer and engineer, and it’s clear that his father was his biggest fan.

This outpouring of love comes just after Lil Jon and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith, released a joint statement confirming the news that their son had passed away. Nathan had been reported missing in Milton, Georgia, earlier in the week after leaving his home without his phone. Following an intense multi-day search involving local authorities and dive teams, a body was tragically recovered from a pond near his residence on Friday, February 6. While the investigation remains active, police have stated that there is no immediate indication of foul play.

We are continuing to extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this incredibly difficult time.

 

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