Rapper Lil Jon is heartbroken after the death of his son Nathan Smith, whose body was found in a Georgia pond. Authorities say no foul play is suspected, but an investigation continues. The family and fans are sharing emotional tributes online.
Oh, roomies, grab the tissues because this one hits hard 💔. Lil Jon's world came crashing down when his son Nathan Smith was reported missing on February 3 from the Baldwin Drive area in Milton, Georgia. Police launched a massive search, and by Friday, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department pulled a body from a nearby pond at 11:53 a.m. Milton Police confirmed it was Nathan, though the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office is still pending official word—no foul play suspected, but the case is wide open as they dig deeper.
Lil Jon didn't hold back on the grief, dropping a raw Instagram video of Nathan from baby pics to grown-up moments, captioning it, “THIS HURTS SO BAD. & I LOVE YOU SON.” He also shouted out Nathan's music hustle, sharing that his son (who went by Slade) dropped a project right after college graduation: “SLADE RELEASED THIS WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. HE WAS SO HAPPY TO EXPRESS HIS ART N DO IT HIMSELF. I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM FOR DOING IT ALL ON HIS OWN.”
The fam's pouring out love too. Lil Jon's partner Jamila Sozahdah posted a sweet montage with Nathan and their little girl Nahara, writing, “Nate… you were so talented, so respectful, so kind, and so incredibly smart. You had a light about you that people felt instantly... We were not ready to lose you... Nahara will miss her big brother. Rest in peace, sweet soul.” In a joint statement with Nathan's mom Nicole Smith, they called him a “kind, caring, and passionate young man who deeply loved his family and friends.” The medical examiner's set to check the body on February 9 for cause of death.
Social media? Total meltdown. Fans flooded comments with prayers: @metroboomin said, “Praying for you and your family this breaks my heart! 🙏🏾” Gabrielle Union added, “Im so sorry. Sending so many prayers... 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾” And @cthagod hit, “Sending you and your family healing energy King. 🙏🏾🖤✊🏾😢” No parent should bury their kid—will the investigation bring more answers, or just more heartbreak?
