Rapper Lil Jon has shared heartfelt reflections on the final father-son trip he took with his son Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, who passed away at age 27 earlier this year.
A Trip to Remember
In a poignant Instagram post on Saturday, May 2, the 55-year-old musician urged his followers not to postpone spending time with loved ones. He recalled memories that now carry a profound weight. Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan H. Smith, confirmed in a statement to Us Weekly on February 6 that Nathan had been found three days after going missing in Georgia. An autopsy revealed he died from accidental drowning.
Final Journey to Japan
In his post, Lil Jon looked back on a birthday trip to Japan he took with Nathan in 2024, which turned out to be their last together. "Two years ago, I asked Slade what he wanted to do for his birthday. He said, 'Go to Japan,'" he recalled. "I had no idea that trip would become our final father-and-son trip… or his favorite one ever."
The duo made the most of every moment, visiting museums, embarking on food tours, dining at Michelin-star sushi restaurants, and watching samurai swords being forged before using them. They also took an anime drawing class and explored drift culture. "It was expensive, but I didn't care — I saw how happy it made him. He told me it was the most fun he'd ever had on any trip," Lil Jon wrote. "It hits different now, knowing we won't get to make memories like that again."
A Message to Fans
He closed with a resonant message: "To anyone reading this, don't put your family off. Don't say 'I'll see them later' or 'We can do that later.' Don't skip the long hugs, don't be frugal. Make long-lasting memories when you can. We all think we have time… but we don't know Allah's plan." He signed off, "Love your people hard. You never know when it's the last hug."
Tribute to Nathan Smith
When news of Nathan's passing broke in February, Lil Jon released a statement describing him as the kindest human being you would ever meet. "His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated," he said. "Nathan was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted. He loved his family and friends to the fullest." He continued, "He was an amazingly talented young man, a music producer, an artist and engineer, and a graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him."
On February 20, Lil Jon shared that Nathan had been laid to rest, marking the occasion with a memorial video. "On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, we laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I'm asking for extra du'a for him and for our family," he wrote. "I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength."
Lil Jon is also father to daughter Nahara, born in 2024 with girlfriend Jamila Sozahdah. As he navigates grief, his message remains simple but powerful: do not wait to show loved ones how much they mean to you.
