Lil Jon’s Kids: What to Know About His Son Nathan and Daughter Nahara

Lil Jon’s son, Nathan Smith, was reported missing in Georgia on Feb. 3

Lil Jon and Nathan Smith attend the Pencils of Promise 10th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 24, 2018, in New York City.Credit : Kevin Mazur/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, is a father to his son Nathan and daughter Nahara
Nathan, who is widely known as DJ Young Slade or just Slade, has followed in his dad’s footsteps in the music industry
On Feb. 3, the Milton Police Department issued a missing person report for Nathan in Georgia

Lil Jon is a father of two.

The rapper became a father in 1998 when he welcomed his first child, son Nathan Smith, with his estranged wife Nicole Smith. Over two decades later, Lil Jon, who was born Jonathan Smith, welcomed daughter Nahara in 2024 with his girlfriend, Jamila Sozahdah.

Nathan has followed in his father’s footsteps as a DJ and musician, performing as DJ Young Slade or just Slade. In a March 2025 interview with The Quintessential Gentleman, Nathan spoke about being part of his father’s legacy but also working to build his own career.

“It’s dope to appreciate my dad, show respect, and just look at all the things he’s done, and it’s nice to get the torch passed down and do my own thing,” he told the outlet. “Because it’s like it comes from him, but also I’m definitely taking it and making it my own.”

More recently, the Milton Police Department issued a missing person report for Nathan via social media on Feb. 3. A rep for Lil Jon told PEOPLE in a statement that their family is “asking for privacy at this time,” as well as “continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe.”

Here’s everything to know about Lil Jon’s children, Nathan and Nahara.

 

Nathan and Nahara were born nearly two decades apart

Lil Jon and his son on the set of DJ Drama’s “Daydreamin” Video Shoot on Feb. 4, 2009, in Los Angeles.Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

Nathan was born on April 30, 1998, per Lil Jon’s Instagram. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nathan was born in Decatur, Ga., though moved to California as a preteen.

In November 2024, Lil Jon became a father of two when he welcomed daughter Nahara with his girlfriend, Sozahdah.

In November 2025, the musician shared photos from Nahara’s birthday party on Instagram, writing, “This Thanksgiving, our hearts are full—and so is the love. 💜💜💜 Happy 1 year birthday to our baby girl, Nahara.”

Nathan graduated from New York University in 2020

Nathan Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade, in May 2020.Slade/Instagram

In May 2020, Nathan graduated from New York University, as he shared on Instagram. He studied at NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“4 years of hard work, finding myself, figuring life out, ups and downs, all the usual human struggles but it was hard at times. Loved every moment tho,” he captioned the post, going on to give a shout-out to his professors, classmates and friends.

“Ill never forget all the experiences i’ve shared with you all,” Nathan added.

 

Lil Jon inspired Nathan to be a musician

Nathan Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade, and Lil Jon perform during 97.1 AMP RADIO’s Amplify 2014 concert on March 22, 2014, in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Winter/Getty

After seeing his dad DJ an afterparty as a kid, Nathan was inspired to pursue a career of his own in the music industry.

“[My dad] brought me to an after-party he was DJing, and I just saw him rocking the crowd. He was on the mic, and he was just playing all the jams where everybody was dancing,” Nathan told The Quintessential Gentleman. “Telling them to put their hands up, they put their hands up, telling them to put them down, they put them down. And I was like, Oh my God, I’m so excited to be here.”

Nathan recalled being “impressed,” and going home to download an app called Serato that allowed him to experiment with some beats and songs. After that, his dad set him up with some turntables and the rest “was history,” Nathan said.

“He just taught me a few things and just let me do my thing,” he added.

Nathan has since collaborated with Ice Cube and released his latest single, “Feels,” in March 2025.

Nathan appeared on MTV’s Family Legacy and Family Feud

Shawty Putt, Young Slade, E-40, Too $hort and Lil Jon on ‘Celebrity Family Feud’.Wilford Harewood/Disney via Getty

In March 2025, Nathan appeared on season 2 of MTV’s Family Legacy, a docuseries that profiles high-profile musicians through the perspectives of their children.

Later that year, he appeared on ABC’s Family Feud alongside his dad and other family members.

Nahara motivated Lil Jon to focus on his health

Lil Jon attends Pencils Of Promise 2019 Gala: An Evolution Within on Nov. 4, 2019, in New York City.Slaven Vlasic/Getty

In an October 2025 appearance on Breakfast Club Power, Lil Jon spoke about wanting to be a “good role model” to his son and the importance of being present — and healthy — to raise his young daughter.

“I got to be here for her first day of school. I got to be here for her high school graduation, walk her down the aisle,” he said, noting that “health is even more important” to him now.

The musician said that while he was previously focused on his health “to live a long, full life,” he now has “even more motivation because of [his] daughter and her mother.”

Nathan was reported missing in February 2026

Lil Jon and DJ Young Slade attend Sujit Kundu’s 21st birthday celebration on Aug. 29, 2016, in New York City.Chance Yeh/Getty

On Feb. 3, the Milton Police Department issued a missing persons report for Nathan via social media. They noted that Nathan was last seen in the area at 6 a.m. that day, and he was “in the vicinity of Baldwin Dr./Mayfield Rd. in Milton.”

“Subject ran out of his house and has been missing since. Subject left on foot and does not possess a phone,” the statement from officials reads. “He may be disoriented and in need of assistance. Family and friends are concerned for his safety.”

They urged anyone with information to call 678-297-6300 or send an email to Detective Sarah Moore at [email protected].

The disappearance of Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of renowned rapper and producer Lil Jon, has captured public attention in Georgia following a police alert issued on February 3, 2026. Smith, who performs under the stage name DJ Young Slade, was reported missing after reportedly running out of his home in Milton, Georgia—a suburb about 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta—around 6:00 a.m. that morning. Authorities from the Milton Police Department quickly mobilized, describing him as potentially disoriented and in need of assistance, as he left on foot without his phone.

Initial reports from the Milton Police Department emphasized the sudden nature of Smith’s departure. In a public alert shared on social media, officials stated that Smith “ran out of his house and has been missing since.” He was last seen in the vicinity of Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road. Physical description details released include that he stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs around 150 pounds, has brown eyes, and short black hair. Family and friends expressed immediate concern for his safety, prompting police to urge the public to check security cameras in nearby areas such as Mayfield Park and Mayfield Lake.

The case gained significant visibility due to Smith’s family connection to Lil Jon, the Atlanta-based artist famous for pioneering crunk music and hits like “Get Low” and “Turn Down for What.” Lil Jon and his family publicly requested privacy while asking for continued prayers. In statements shared through media outlets, the family conveyed a heartfelt plea for their son’s safe return, with Lil Jon reportedly saying, “Come home safe.” This celebrity link amplified the story across national entertainment and news platforms, including Billboard, People, and local Georgia outlets like WSB-TV and Atlanta News First.

Breaking Update on CCTV Footage

A significant development emerged in the investigation when police confirmed that CCTV footage from a gas station captured Nathan Smith walking alone at 9:42 PM—hours before he was officially reported missing on February 3. This footage, now treated as a key reference point in the case, shows Smith in Georgia, providing investigators with a critical timestamp and visual confirmation of his movements later into the evening prior to his disappearance.

The discovery of this gas station surveillance video shifts the timeline and offers new leads for authorities. While initial reports focused on his early morning exit from home around 6 a.m. on February 3, the 9:42 PM footage from the previous night (likely February 2 into February 3) indicates Smith was active and mobile in the area well before dawn. Police are analyzing this as a pivotal piece of evidence, potentially helping to reconstruct his activities, identify any interactions, or determine his state of mind during those hours.

The footage’s confirmation underscores the role of widespread surveillance in modern missing persons cases. Gas stations, often equipped with high-quality cameras for security, frequently become valuable resources in investigations. In this instance, the clip of Smith walking alone provides a solitary but important sighting, ruling out certain scenarios and directing search efforts. Authorities have not released the footage publicly, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry, but its existence has been verified as a cornerstone for detectives.

Context of the Disappearance

Smith’s disappearance appears unusual based on available details. Reports consistently note that he left without his phone, which limits tracking options via cell data or social media activity. Police described him as possibly disoriented, raising questions about his mental or physical state at the time. No evidence of foul play has been publicly confirmed, but the sudden departure from home has prompted thorough searches involving local law enforcement.

The broader context includes Smith’s own career in music. As DJ Young Slade, he has followed in his father’s footsteps, building a presence in the industry with performances and productions. Family members have highlighted the emotional toll of the situation, asking the public to focus on helping locate him rather than speculation.

Public Response and Ongoing Efforts

The case has sparked widespread calls for information from the community. The Milton Police Department encouraged anyone with potential leads—particularly those with security footage from the relevant areas—to contact Detective Sarah Moore or the department directly at 678-297-6300 (option 1). Social media has played a dual role: amplifying the alert while also circulating unverified sightings or theories.

As of the latest available information, Smith remains missing, and the investigation continues. The CCTV from the gas station at 9:42 PM stands out as a key development, offering investigators a concrete point to build upon in efforts to bring him home safely. Friends, family, and authorities maintain hope that increased public awareness will lead to his prompt and safe recovery.

This situation highlights the challenges of missing persons cases, especially when individuals leave without communication devices or clear explanations. It also demonstrates the power of community vigilance and technological tools like CCTV in aiding law enforcement. For now, the focus remains on locating Nathan Smith and supporting his family during this difficult time.