Rapper Lil Jon has finally opened up about his final conversations with his son, Nathan Smith, who passed away at 27, sharing details in his new memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me.
The details emerge after eight months of his tragic death, the Get Low artist also shed light on his son's struggles, their last conversations and the words they shared shortly ahead of tragedy.
According to USA Today, Lil Jon wrote that Smith had been experiencing intense, unexplained physical pain. The rapper believed stress, trauma and anxiety may have contributed to his son’s difficulties.
In the memoir, Lil Jon recalled a phone conversation during which he encouraged Smith to take care of himself and reassured him of his support.
Lil Jon penned down in his memoir, citing USA Today, “he'd called to say, 'I love you.' I told him I loved him, too, I was always encouraging him to take care of himself. On the call, I leaned into him a bit. 'I'm on you because I love you,' I said. 'I care about you. I want you to get better.'”
Although the conversation ended on a positive note, Lil Jon felt that something remained unresolved.
At 12:48 a.m. on Saturday, Smith sent his father a message expressing his love and promising for improved communication and to stop allowing fear to hold him back.
Lil Jon replied with another message of encouragement, describing his son as talented and intelligent while expressing hope that his discomfort and fear would vanish.
Furthermore, the rapper called Smith again to address his efforts and reassure him that he was seen and supported.
“Little did I know that was the last time I would talk to him,” Lil Jon added.
Smith, who performed as DJ Young Slade, was found dead near his home in Georgia on February 6, three days after he was reported missing. His death was attributed to drowning while under the influence of mushrooms.
