Quick Info
| Profession | Rapper, record producer, DJ, entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 17/01/1971 |
| Age | 55 years |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Latest News about Jonathan H. Smith (Lil Jon)
His memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me, is scheduled for release on this date. The book offers an account of his life and career, and it includes his childhood accident and his family history. Lil Jon also has book signings listed in New York and Los Angeles in late October 2026.
Lil Jon disclosed in his upcoming memoir that Willie Smith, the man who raised him, is not his biological father. He said the discovery came after a cousin took a DNA test that showed the two were not genetically related. He told People magazine he still has many unanswered questions because both of his biological parents have died.
Pitbull announced a 2026 North American summer tour featuring Lil Jon. The tour dates run from September into October 2026 across US amphitheatres and arenas.
Do you like Jonathan H. Smith (Lil Jon)?
You can vote only once.
84% like · 16% dislike
Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Jonathan H. Smith, known as Lil Jon, is an American rapper, record producer and DJ. He is widely recognized as a pioneer of the crunk movement in hip-hop and is the former frontman of Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, a group he formed in 1997. He has announced a memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me, scheduled for release on 20/10/2026. |
|---|---|
| Genres |
|
| Years Active | 1991-present |
| Labels |
|
Personal Life
| Philanthropy | Supports education and health causes, including funding schools in Ghana, Guatemala and Uganda in partnership with Pencils of Promise. |
|---|---|
| Recent Personal Disclosure | In his 2026 memoir he revealed that Willie Smith, the man who raised him, was not his biological father, a discovery made through a cousin's DNA test. |
Relationships & More
| Spouse | Nicole (married 2004; separated 2022) |
|---|---|
| Frequent Collaborators |
Family
| Children | 2 |
|---|---|
| Son (Nathan Smith, professionally DJ Young Slade) | Died February 2026, aged 27 |
| Mother | Carrie |
| Brothers | Willie Junior and Chris |
Career
| Notable Works |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable Hits |
| ||
| Production | Produced Usher's "Yeah!", which earned him a Grammy Award | ||
| Film and Television |
| ||
| Books |
| ||
| Upcoming Live Dates | North American summer 2026 tour with Pitbull, and European arena dates in November 2026 |
Style Quotient
| Signature Style | High-energy live performances, signature ad-libs and genre-blending collaborations, including with EDM artists |
|---|
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. As a teenager he taught himself to DJ, practising on turntables and mixtapes. | |
| 2. He helped discover rapper Lil Scrappy while Scrappy performed at an Atlanta strip club. | |
| 3. He is part of an informal trio with Ludacris and Usher that often records together. | |
| 4. He has said a childhood accident involving a needle caused an eye injury that led to his signature sunglasses, which he describes in his memoir. |
