Lil Jon announces son DJ Young Slade has died at 27 after body was recovered from Georgia pond

Lil Jon announced the tragic death of his son, DJ Young Slade, on Friday at the age of 27.

He made the painful announcement shortly after police in Milton, Georgia, said the body found in a pond near Young Slade’s home was believed to be his. WSB-TV in Atlanta.

Just a few days ago, Lil Jon’s son was reported missing after reportedly running away from his home in Milton on Tuesday.

“I am heartbroken over 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 person you could ever meet. He was extremely caring, thoughtful, kind, passionate and warm-hearted; “He loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest,” he added.

Lil Jon (real name: Jonathan H. Smith) describes his son as “an incredibly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and a graduate of NYU.’

He made the painful announcement shortly after police in Milton, Georgia, said they believed the body found in a pond near Young Slade’s home was his.

The Turn Down For What hitmaker continued: ‘We loved Nathan with all our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. ‘He was loved and appreciated, and we took comfort in knowing that we expressed that feeling to him in our final times together.’

Lil Jon also thanked the Milton Police Department for their assistance in the search for Slade.

Although police have confirmed that the body recovered from a nearby pond was his, it will be the responsibility of the coroner’s office to conduct official verification and 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 Ministry respectfully requests that the community and members of the media honor the family’s request for privacy as they grieve and recover from this tragedy.’

Police had previously issued a missing person alert for Slade and he was last seen on Baldwin Dr./Mayfield Rd. He reported that he was seen in the vicinity. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 06:00.

Slade ‘had been missing since leaving his home and was believed to be ‘confused and in need of help’.

In the warning, it was stated that Slade, who is 1.90 tall and weighs 150 kilos, did not have a phone.

A representative for Lil Jon told The Daily Mail that the family is ‘concerned for his safety’ and is asking for prayers for his return.

‘Nathan was the kindest person you could ever meet. He was extremely caring, thoughtful, kind, passionate and warm-hearted; “He loved his family and friends in his life to the fullest,” he added; Lil Jon and Nathan photographed in New York in 2018

The Turn Down For What hitmaker continued: ‘We loved Nathan with all our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. ‘He was loved and appreciated, and we took comfort in knowing that we expressed that feeling to him in our final times together.’

On Friday, a body believed to be Slade’s was recovered from a pond near his home (pictured). He was reported missing on Tuesday after reportedly running away from his home on Tuesday.

Although police have confirmed that the body recovered from a nearby pond was his, it will be the responsibility of the coroner’s office to conduct official verification and determine the manner and cause of his death.

‘His family and friends are concerned for his safety,’ the representative said. ‘The family requests privacy at this time. We also ask that we continue to pray for Nathan’s safe return home. Thank you.’

The Daily Mail contacted the Milton Police Department for comment but has not yet received a response.

Slade, who Lil Jon shares with his ex-girlfriend Nicole Smith, developed a passion for music like his father.

“When my son graduated from the DJ academy, I had tears in my eyes when I saw him following in my footsteps,” Lil Jon said. Huffington Post In 2014.

Being a father is one of Lil Jon’s top priorities, even refusing to appear on Saturday Night Live to celebrate his son’s birthday.

“I made a pact that I would never miss a birthday; I was there for every birthday,” he told the publication. ‘Once I said “Yes!” ‘He was out, Usher was invited to 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 this opportunity.’

Slade’s musical career began to develop as a child, after graduating from scratch academy and getting DJ gigs in Los Angeles clubs before making his own music.

Lil Jon told The Big Podcast in 2023: ‘ He started DJing when he was 11 years old. I got him into the Scratch DJ Academy. He graduated at the age of 12. He was the smallest thing at graduation. During his teenage years, he started DJing in clubs in Los Angeles and then started making music as well.’

Lil Jon believes Slade is ‘destined’ for a music career.

Lil Jon made his painful announcement just days after his son, who reportedly ran away from his home on Tuesday, was reported missing in Milton, Georgia. Milton Police Department issues a missing person alert for Smith

The Milton Police Department said he is 6 feet tall and weighs 150 pounds

His father’s representative said the “family is concerned for his safety” and asked for prayers for his return

Like his father, Slade has a passion for music

Lil Jon reveals he was impressed by his son’s decision to pursue music

‘It’s literally in your child’s genes to do what you do,’ he said during an appearance on the podcast. ‘It’s in their genes. It’s in their DNA. We pass on and learn everything we learn to our children. So he was destined to be in the music business and make music.’

Slade is clearly proud to be Lil Jon’s son, too.

Last year, Slade reflected on his father’s unforgettable MTV moments on the MTV show Family Legacy and also competed with his father on Celebrity Family Feud.

Slade and his father celebrated Family Feud making history with photos of their appearance on Instagram.

‘Just some of the many great things I’ve done lately. I feel good that life is taking me to wonderful places and I am enjoying the journey. Me and my dad @liljon made history playing Family Feud together and s/o @e40 @tooshort @shawtyputt it’s a family affair!!’