Meet Lil Jon's Ex-Wife, Nicole Smith, She Is 'Devastated' On Only Son, DJ Young Slade's Death

Rapper Lil Jon's son, Nathan Smith, went missing on February 3, 2026, after running out of his home without a phone. Authorities initially noted he might have been disoriented and needed assistance. Following a three-day search involving dive teams and K-9 units, a body was recovered on February 6, 2026, from a pond in Mayfield Park, located near his residence. The body was then identified to be that of the 27-year-old Nathan Smith, who is known professionally as DJ Young Slade. As his parents, Lil Jon and Nicole Smith, navigate profound grief, here's a look at their familial lives.

Lil Jon and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith, are 'heartbroken' at their son's death

Lil Jon announced his son's tragic loss in a statement to TMZ, expressing how shattered he and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith, were. He described his late son as the "kindest human being", who was virtuous and polite. According to him, DJ Young Slade has a warm, lovable personality and cares a lot about others. Lil Jon mentioned that DJ Young Slade's mother was deeply shaken and "devastated" at the death of their only child together. Praising their deceased son, he said:

"I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated. 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."

DJ Young Slade was not just a well-mannered individual but also extremely talented, as Lil Jon stated in his TMZ interview. He recalled his son's work as a music producer, artist, and engineer, and shared that everyone around them adored him. Lil Jon shared that they were "incredibly proud" of DJ Young Slade and found comfort in knowing they had expressed their love and appreciation for him in his final moments with them. Lil Jon stated:

"He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. 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."

Who is Lil Jon's ex-wife and DJ Young Slade's mother, Nicole Smith?

Nicole Smith is the ex-wife of rapper and producer, Lil Jon, who is currently in focus after the mysterious death of their son, DJ Young Slade. Nicole has remained mainly out of the public eye throughout her long-term relationship with Lil Jon. However, she has occasionally joined her ex-husband at high-profile events, such as the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice finale in 2013, and has supported his charitable work with organisations like Pencils of Promise. Not much is known about her background or career.

How did Nicole Smith and Lil Jon's relationship start?

Nicole Smith and Lil Jon's relationship began well before his rise to solo stardom in the mid-1990s. While the specifics of their first meeting have remained private, their relationship reportedly developed when Lil Jon transitioned from collaborative projects to his solo career.

Nicole Smith and Lil Jon's marriage, separation and child

After dating for at least six years, Lil Jon and Nicole Smith tied the knot in 2004. They were married for two decades before quietly separating. Their relationship was largely kept private throughout Lil Jon's peak fame, though they made a rare joint appearance on HGTV's Tiny House Nation in 2017. Before their wedding, Nicole Smith and Lil Jon became parents to a boy. They welcomed their son, Nathan Smith (DJ Young Slade), in 1998. Lil Jon and Nicole Smith amicably separated in early 2022 after nearly 20 years of marriage.

The rapper confirmed the split in February 2024, noting that the emotional weight of the divorce process significantly influenced his 2024 album, Total Meditation. The reason for their divorce is not publicly available. Following their split, Lil Jon moved on and welcomed a daughter, Nahara, in 2024 with his girlfriend, Jamila Sozahdah. Lil Jon and Jamila began dating around 2023. Their relationship was kept private initially, but they went public with their joint appearance at the premiere of Jamila's reality show, Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs, in June 2023. Details about his ex-wife's current relationship status are unknown.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to DJ Young Slade's family as they deal with his loss.

Also Read: What Caused Nathan Smith's Death? Lil Jon Confirms Son's Demise After Remains Were Found In A Pond

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