Lil Jon is grieving the unthinkable loss of his son, Nathan Smith. On Thursday (Feb. 19), the crunk pioneer penned a heartfelt tribute to his late child on social media after laying the 27-year-old to rest earlier this week.
“On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family,” Lil Jon captioned a slideshow of Kodak moments shared with his son over the years. “Please pray that Allah grants him Jannah and grants us sabr, mercy, and strength. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.”
The “Get Low” rapper continued: “I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength. Also thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences, love, and prayers we appreciate you all. I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name. Nathan Murray Smith.”
Nathan Smith, who produced under the alias DJ Young Slade, was reported missing on Feb. 3 by the Milton Police Department in Georgia. Smith’s body was discovered by the Cherokee County Fire Department in a nearby pond on Feb. 6.
The Milton Police Department doesn’t suspect foul play, but an investigation remains ongoing. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to complete an autopsy.
Lil Jon confirmed his son’s passing in a statement to Billboard on Feb. 6, calling the NYU graduate the “kindest human being you would ever meet.”
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of my son, Nathan Smith,” Lil Jon said. “His mother and I are devastated. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted — he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
He continued: “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,” Lil Jon added. “He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”
