UPDATE, 6/2/26 at 3:11 PM ET:
Georgia police have recovered the rapper’s body lil jonthe missing son Nathan Smith (aka DJ Young Slade). He was 27 years old.
The Milton Police Department in Georgia confirmed via Facebook that on Friday, Feb. 6, “Cherokee County Fire Department divers located and recovered a body” in a Mayfield Park pond near Smith’s home.
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation from the Fulton County Coroner’s Office,” the statement said. “Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play. However, the Milton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division will continue to treat this as an open and active investigation.”
The police department confirmed that “no further details will be released” until the cause and manner of death has been determined.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time,” the statement concluded. “The department respectfully asks the community and members of the media to honor the family’s request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy.”
DJ Young Slade
Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTVLil Jon spoke about his son’s death in a statement we on friday He thanked fans for “all the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last few days” and all law enforcement involved in the search.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of my son, Nathan Smith. His mother (Nicole Smith) and I’m devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you could ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate and caring – he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest,” the rapper said. “He was an incredibly talented young man; music producer, artist and engineer and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last time together, it comforts us to know that we expressed that same sentiment to him.”
Original story below:
rapper lil jon is praying for the safe return of his son, Nathan Smith (AKA as DJ Young Slade), after being reported missing in Georgia.
According to the Milton Police Department, Smith, 28, was last seen on Tuesday, February 3 at 6 a.m. local time in the vicinity of Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road in Milton, Georgia.
“The subject ran out of his home and has been missing ever since,” police said in a missing persons report released via Facebook on tuesday “The subject left on foot and does not have a phone. He may be disoriented and in need of assistance. Family and friends are concerned for his safety.”
Smith is described as 5’9 and 150 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes.
Lil Jon is not only a renowned rapper, music producer and DJ, but also a home renovation enthusiast. The 53-year-old musician teams up with interior designer Anitra Mecadon to help people create the space of their dreams in Lil Jon Wants to Do What? from HGTV, whose second season ended earlier this month. (…)
Anyone with information is asked to contact the non-emergency dispatch line at 678-297-6300, option 1.
Local point of sale Atlanta Draft reported that police were seen searching Mayfield Lake, which is located along Baldwin Drive. At this time, it is unclear if it is related to Smith’s disappearance. (Wednesday, February 4, police confirmed Us Weekly that they have “no further updates and Nathan Smith is still missing”.
“The family requests privacy at this time,” Lil Jon’s rep said in a separate statement we on wednesday “We are also asking for continued prayers that Nathan comes home safely. Thank you.”
Smith is a DJ and musician who performs as DJ Young Slade or simply Slade. His latest single, “Feels”, was released in March 2025.
DJ Young Slade
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CBS Radio, Inc.“He’s in the music business. He’s an engineer and an artist,” Lil Jon said OK! magazine in December 2024 when they asked him about his son. “He started out as a DJ, and he knows that (my hit ‘Get Low’) is one of those songs that you have to play. We haven’t talked about how he feels about it, but I’m sure he likes it.”
Lil Jon, who shares Nathan with his estranged wife Nicole Smith — continued, “It’s great that he’s in the same business as me. He didn’t know what he was going to be when he was younger. I wasn’t trying to influence him to be into music. He had a natural ear for music. I remember being 11 and we were in the car and the DJ was mixing on the radio and I could tell what song was going to come out before it came out.”
Nathan’s most recent Instagram post was a photo of him with his manager and Bow Wow visiting Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
Tons of famous kids have followed in their musical parents’ footsteps over the years, starting their own pop careers and racking up awards in the process. Thank you! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By registering, I accept the Terms and the Privacy Policy and (…)
“Three generations. One culture. Legacy isn’t a moment, it’s a continuum. Young Slade 🤝 Bow Wow 🤝 Lil Will Real lineage. Real respect,” he captioned the publication on January 6 “The legacy above the hype. Different eras, same code. Real respect, real relationships, real history. Still under construction. Still standing. Still us. 🧱🔥.”
A month earlier, Nathan was able to attend iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball in Atlanta with Lil Jon and other musicians.
“Crazy moment from the crazy room,” he wrote via Instagram on December 23, 2025. “@iheartjingleball was special.”