When the rapper Lil Jon shouts “Okayyyy,” you know a hit is on the horizon. But his signature shout and his image sit atop a deeper, more complex past.
The Atlanta-born artist, whose full name is Jonathan H. Smith, opened up about his life and upbringing in his debut memoir, “I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me.” The book traces how he found his way into music, the burnout that accompanies creative work, and the loss of his son, Nathan Murray Smith, who died in February 2026 by drowning.
The memoir also tackles another personal struggle: the frightening incident that led him to wear sunglasses most of his life.
On Oct. 16, the “Get Low” rapper told People how the habit began after a childhood injury he inflicted on himself.
Lil Jon grew up in Georgia with his diabetic mother, Carrie. He often watched her receiving insulin shots for treatment.
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But at the tender age of 6 years old, he used a syringe to see how the air felt on his eye. Instead, he accidentally stabbed himself in the eyeball.
After seeing numerous doctors, it was determined that he had “traumatic cataract from the needle.” As a result, Lil Jon had to undergo multiple surgeries. He even wore a metal patch on his eye, which he says led to bullying at school.
“At that age if somebody’s different, they’re going to pick on you,” he told the outlet.
The teasing sparked something in his personality.
“I became shy,” he said. “But somehow I turned it into, ‘I want to always prove people wrong.’”
Because of the accident, Lil Jon says he developed a lazy eye. He underwent another procedure to help with the lazy eye, but he still prefers to wear sunglasses when he’s out in public.
Lil Jon, who learned to play the drums before the eye injury, said the incident’s hardships didn’t stop him from reaching success.
The 55-year-old said, “I’m the type, if an obstacle is put in front of me, I’m going to figure out how to go through it, over it, under it, around it.”
Fans shocked to learn about Lil Jon’s childhood accident reacted in the comments.
Supporters used his iconic phrases like “What!!!” and “OMG, my worst fear.” Another stunned fan wrote, “Damn, that hurts.”
A third person added, “I’m in my 30s and just now realizing that I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lil Jon without sunglasses on.”
Lil Jon started as a club DJ in Atlanta, and by 1993 he signed to Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def label and spent several years as a producer.
He went on to release his own albums, including “Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album” in 1997 and “We Still Crunk” in 2000, for a total of seven studio albums.
In 2005, he received four Grammy nominations for his work on Usher’s “Yeah,” which won “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.” Lil Jon also has multiple Billboard Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
Currently, he and his family are still grieving Nathan’s devastating loss as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Police have reported no indication of foul play, but the medical examiner’s confirmation remains pending. As the family mourns, Lil Jon’s heartfelt tribute offers a glimpse into the son he loved and the lasting legacy Nathan leaves behind.
NEW: The body of Rapper Lil Jon’s son, Nathan Smith, has been found in a pond in Georgia, days after he went missing.
Lil Jon (Jonathan H. Smith) has confirmed the tragic news on Instagram.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated,” Smith 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 a 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.”
The Milton Police Department has also released a statement, saying: “Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play.”
Nathan Smith was last seen running out of his house in Milton, Georgia. His body was found in a pond near the home, according to police.
Heartbreaking. RIP.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 6, 2026
