Lil Jon shares final conversations with son Nathan Smith ahead of memoir release

Lil Jon has shared his final conversations with his son Nathan Smith in an excerpt from his forthcoming memoir.

People published the excerpt on Oct. 14. The book, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me, is set for release on Oct. 20, as reported by Billboard. Smith died in February. He was 27.

In the excerpt, Lil Jon wrote that his son faced emotional difficulties and intense physical pain. On some days, he wrote, Smith could not get off the couch. He also wrote that Smith was in EMDR therapy for emotional struggles.

Lil Jon recounted telling his son that he stayed on him because he loves him, cares about him and wants him to get better. Smith replied that he was getting there. He said he had been going through a lot and was working through it, and asked his father to give him credit for that effort.

Smith then sent a follow-up text. He said he loved his father, would try to communicate better and would start on supplements the next day. Lil Jon wrote that he later discussed the exchange with his own therapist.

After that discussion, he called Smith to apologise. He told him that he was seen, and that he saw the effort he was making. That call was their final conversation.

Lil Jon received a call that his son was missing on Feb. 3. Smith’s body was found on Feb. 6 in a pond in Milton, Georgia, near his home in the Atlanta area.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death an accident caused by drowning in the setting of psilocybin use, as reported by Billboard. Police had earlier said there was no indication of foul play pending the medical examiner’s determination.

Smith was the only son of Lil Jon and his estranged wife Nicole Smith. The couple were married for 18 years before separating in 2022. Smith was an NYU graduate who produced music under the alias DJ Young Slade.

Lil Jon confirmed his son’s death in a statement to Billboard on Feb. 6. The family asked for privacy and prayers. Lil Jon later said he returned to work on the memoir to help process his grief.