- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
DJ Young Slade, Son of Lil Jon, Dies at 27
Lil Jon confirms the passing of his son, Nathan Smith, after an investigation into his disappearance.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Nathan Smith, professionally known as DJ Young Slade and the son of rapper and producer Lil Jon, has passed away at the age of 27. Lil Jon expressed profound grief over the tragic loss, describing Nathan as a kind, talented, and passionate young man who was loved by his family and friends. The search for Nathan began after he was reported missing on February 3, and authorities later recovered a body from a pond near his residence in Milton, Georgia, though confirmation from the medical examiner is pending. Police have stated that no foul play is suspected.
Why it matters
The death of DJ Young Slade, a rising music producer and artist, is a tragic loss for the music industry and the community. Lil Jon's public statement about his son's passing has resonated with fans and the public, highlighting the impact of the loss on the family.
The details
According to reports, Nathan Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade, left his home in Milton, Georgia, early on February 3 without his phone. Authorities, including K-9 units and specialized search teams, concentrated their efforts near Mayfield Park, close to his residence. On Friday morning, the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a pond near Mayfield Road and Baldwin Drive, an area that had been a focal point of the search. While officials believe the body is that of Nathan Smith, confirmation from the Fulton County Medical Examiner is pending. Police have stated that no foul play is suspected, though investigations are ongoing.
- Nathan Smith was reported missing on February 3, 2026.
- The body was recovered from a pond near his residence on February 10, 2026.
The players
Lil Jon
A renowned rapper and producer, and the father of Nathan Smith.
Nathan Smith
Also known as DJ Young Slade, he was a 27-year-old music producer, artist, and engineer, and the son of Lil Jon.
Nicole Smith
The mother of Nathan Smith.
What they’re saying
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted—he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
— Lil Jon (Instagram)
“He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together, we're comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”
— Lil Jon (Instagram)
What’s next
The Fulton County Medical Examiner is expected to confirm the identity of the body recovered from the pond.
The takeaway
The tragic passing of DJ Young Slade, a promising young music talent, has deeply impacted the music community and his family. Lil Jon's heartfelt tribute highlights the profound loss and the importance of cherishing loved ones while they are still with us.
