Following Friday’s announcement, Lil Jon broke his silence regarding his son’s tragic passing, as he paid tribute to one of the ‘kindest human beings’ you could ever ask to meet.
In a post shared on Instagram, the grieving dad wrote: « I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother and I are devastated, » he said. « 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. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. »
The statement continued, « 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.” »Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days, » the statement concluded. « Thank you to the entire Milton Police Department involved: Detective Dula Milton, Investigators Sergeant Scott Lappin, Detective Randy Dula, Detective Sarah Moore, and Detective Daniel Williams. Sandy Springs Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Fire Department, Forsyth County Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia K9 Team Search and Recovery, and multiple volunteers, as well as the Milton Fire Department and Cherokee Rescue and Dive Team, and Craig Brazemen. »
After following in his famous dad’s footsteps, Nathan had begun to carve a career for himself as a DJ and musician, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade or Slade. He released his latest single, ‘Feels’, in March 2025.
Reflecting on the role Lil Jon had played in his love for performing, Smith told The Quintessential Gentleman last year: « 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.
“Because it’s like it comes from him, but also I’m definitely taking it and making it my own. »
The mother of Adriana Smith, an Atlanta woman who was declared brain dead whilst pregnant, has given an update on the newborn months after its mother’s life support was switched off.
Smith was a registered nurse and mom-to-be when she suffered a medical emergency in February 2025. Doctors at Emory University Hospital later declared her brain-dead.
However, the experts felt they were legally obligated to keep Smith on life support after she was found to be around nine weeks pregnant.
This was due to the so-called ‘heartbeat bill’ that Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law in 2019 to prevent abortions from being performed once fetal cardiac activity is detected, which typically occurs at about six weeks’ gestation.
