Lil Jon Biography: Songs, Net Worth, Parents, Wife, Children, Albums, Height

Biography

Jonathan H. Smith, better known as Lil Jon, was born on January 27, 1971, in Atlanta, Georgia. A trailblazing rapper, DJ, and record producer, he brought crunk—a high-energy subgenre of hip-hop—to the mainstream.

He gained fame in the late 1990s as the frontman of Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, delivering Southern rap classics like “Get Low” and “Snap Yo Fingers.”

With his thunderous beats, booming bass, and iconic ad-libs—“Yeah!” “What?!” “Okay!”—Lil Jon became a defining voice of early 2000s party music. His signature sound and high-profile collaborations with artists like Usher, Ludacris, and Pitbull cemented his place in hip-hop history. In 2005, he earned a Grammy Award for producing Usher’s chart-topping hit “Yeah!”

Beyond music, Lil Jon‘s vibrant personality has shined through in television and film. More recently, he took his creativity into the world of home renovation with the HGTV series Lil Jon Wants to Do What?, where he surprises homeowners with bold and imaginative makeover ideas.

Whether hyping up a crowd or revamping a living room, Lil Jon continues to leave his mark—fusing music, media, and unstoppable energy into every project he touches.

American rapper and record producer
Lil Jon
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Jonathan H. Smith
Stage Name:	Lil Jon
Born:	17 January 1971 (age 54 years old)
Place of Birth:	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Beecher Hills Elementary and Southwest Middle School, Frederick Douglass High School, St. Joseph’s University
Height:	168 cm
Parents:	Carrie Smith-Williams
Siblings:	Chris Smith, Willie Smith
Spouse:	Nicole Smith (m. 2004)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Hilary Duff (2003), Julianna Rose Mauriello, Christina Milian, Mya
Children:	DJ Young Slade
Occupation:	Rapper • Record Producer
Net Worth:	$30 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Jonathan H. Smith, professionally known as Lil Jon, was born on January 17, 1971, in Atlanta, Georgia. Although he is of African American descent, Lil Jon has remained private about his religious beliefs and has not publicly addressed this aspect of his personal life.

Raised in a middle-class neighborhood in Southwest Atlanta, Lil Jon was the oldest of five siblings, including Chris Smith and Willie Smith. His father, an aerospace engineer and military veteran, and his mother, Carrie Smith-Williams, who worked in the medical field within the military, instilled discipline and structure in the household. Three of his younger siblings would also go on to serve in the military. As a child, Lil Jon was described by his mother as independent, a high achiever, and an enthusiastic reader.

He began his education at Beecher Hills Elementary and Southwest Middle School, both part of the Atlanta Public School system. He later attended Frederick Douglass High School, where he graduated in 1989. A member of the school’s magnet program and the marching band, he demonstrated an early passion for music. Although he briefly attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to study computer science, his growing interest in DJing and the music scene ultimately pulled him in a different direction.

Lil Jon became deeply involved in Atlanta’s skateboarding scene during his teenage years. He worked at Skate Escape, a well-known skate and bike shop near Piedmont Park, alongside longtime friends Robert McDowell, Dwayne “Emperor” Searcy, and Vince Phillips. At just 15, he taught himself how to DJ and began throwing basement parties with Searcy—dubbed “Old E and Chicken Parties.”

Career

Lil Jon, born Jonathan H. Smith, rose to prominence as a key architect of the crunk movement, carving out a dynamic career as a rapper, DJ, and record producer.

His journey began in Atlanta’s vibrant music scene in the early 1990s, when, at just 15, he taught himself how to DJ and started spinning at local clubs and house parties. One of his early venues, The Phoenix, proved pivotal—connecting him with industry heavyweight Jermaine Dupri, who brought him on as an A&R executive at So So Def Recordings in 1993.

While at So So Def, Lil Jon sharpened his production skills, contributing to projects like A Jermaine Dupri Christmas and producing standout tracks such as Jay-Z’s “Who You Wit.”

In the mid-90s, Lil Jon founded the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz with Big Sam and Lil Bo. Together, they fused hip-hop with energetic Southern bass, helping to pioneer the crunk sound. Their debut album Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album (1997), laid the groundwork, but it was Put Yo Hood Up (2001) that started turning heads, featuring the high-octane anthem “Bia’ Bia’.”

They hit mainstream success with Kings of Crunk (2002), propelled by the smash hit “Get Low” featuring the Ying Yang Twins, which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their follow-up album Crunk Juice (2004) featured star-studded collaborations with Usher and Ludacris—most notably the Grammy-winning track “Yeah!”—as well as slow-burning hits like “Lovers and Friends,” solidifying Lil Jon’s place in music history.

As a producer, Lil Jon left an indelible mark on early 2000s hip-hop with his thunderous basslines, infectious hooks, and instantly recognizable ad-libs like “Yeah!” and “What?!” His production credits span major hits for Ciara (“Goodies”), Pitbull, Young Jeezy, and more.

His influence also extended to remixing tracks for artists like Gwen Stefani and composing for TV, film, and video games, including Need for Speed: Underground.

In 2010, Lil Jon launched his solo career with the release of Crunk Rock, featuring high-energy collaborations like “Outta Your Mind” with LMFAO. He returned to the charts in 2013 with the global hit “Turn Down for What,” a collaboration with DJ Snake that reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination.

His Las Vegas DJ residencies—starting in 2014 at Wynn Las Vegas and extending to clubs like Hakkasan and Jewel Nightclub—cemented his reputation as an international party-starter.

Outside of music, Lil Jon has continued to expand his brand. He made memorable appearances on Celebrity Apprentice (2011, 2013) and began starring in his own HGTV series Lil Jon Wants to Do What? in 2021, showcasing his bold design taste and vibrant personality through home renovation projects. He also launched BME Recordings, his own label, and collaborated with major brands like Oakley (custom sunglasses) and Monster Cable (headphones).

His cultural relevance has remained strong, with performances at marquee events such as Super Bowl XLIX (2015) and the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where he brought his signature energy to the stage.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Lil Jon
• Instagram: LIL JON (@liljon)
• Facebook: Lil Jon
• Twitter: LIL JON (@liljon)
• IMDb: Lil Jon
• YouTube: LIL JON

Personal Life

Lil Jon (Jonathan H. Smith) is 54 years old, born on January 17, 1971. He has been married to Nicole Smith since 2004 and celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2024. Their relationship is often showcased through public appearances and Lil Jon’s social media posts, like his 2024 tribute calling Nicole his “Queen.”

They have one child, a son named Nathan Smith, born in 1998, who performs as DJ Young Slade, with Lil Jon supporting his career, including at events like the 2016 NHL Winter Classic.

Lil Jon stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. His dating history before Nicole includes reported relationships with Julianna Rose Mauriello, Christina Milian, and Mya. Additionally, Lil Jon is rumored to have hooked up with Hilary Duff in 2003.

Net Worth

Lil Jon (Jonathan H. Smith) has an estimated net worth of $30 million, amassed through his influential career as a rapper, DJ, and record producer, notably pioneering the crunk genre with hits like “Get Low” and “Yeah!”

His wealth stems from music sales, production royalties, high-paying DJ gigs (up to $100,000 per night), and collaborations with artists like Usher and Pitbull.

Additional income comes from entrepreneurial ventures, including an energy drink, a wine label, and real estate investments, as well as media appearances on shows like Celebrity Apprentice and his HGTV series Lil Jon Wants to Do What?

Discography

Studio Albums with Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

• Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album (1997)
• We Still Crunk!! (2000)
• Put Yo Hood Up (2001)
• Kings of Crunk (2002)
• Crunk Juice (2004)

Solo Studio Album

• Crunk Rock (2010)
• Total Meditation (2024)

Selected Singles as Lead Artist

• With Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz:
  • “Who U Wit?” (1997)
  • “Shawty Freak a Lil’ Sumtin’” (1998)
  • “I Like Dem Girlz” (2000)
  • “Bia’ Bia’” (2001)
  • “Get Low” (2003, feat. Ying Yang Twins) – Peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100
  • “Salt Shaker” (2003, feat. Ying Yang Twins) – Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100
  • “Lovers and Friends” (2004, feat. Usher & Ludacris) – Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100
  • “Snap Yo Fingers” (2006, feat. E-40 & Sean P)
• Solo:
  • “Drink” (2011, feat. LMFAO)
  • “Turn Down for What” (2013, with DJ Snake) – Peaked at No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100, 6× Platinum
  • “Bend Ova” (2014, feat. Tyga)
  • “Take It Off” (2016, feat. Yandel & Becky G)
  • “Alive” (2018, feat. Offset & 2 Chainz)

Notable Production Credits

Lil Jon has produced numerous Billboard Hot 100 hits for other artists, significantly shaping the crunk genre and beyond. Key tracks include:

• “Yeah!” by Usher (feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris) (2004) – Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance
• “Goodies” by Ciara (feat. Petey Pablo) (2004)
• “Freek-a-Leek” by Petey Pablo (2004)
• “Damn!” by YoungBloodZ (feat. Lil Jon) (2003)
• “Cyclone” by Baby Bash (feat. T-Pain) (2007)
• “Salt Shaker” by Ying Yang Twins (2003)
• “Girlfight” by Brooke Valentine (2005)
• “The Anthem” by Pitbull (2007)
• “Do You Remember” by Jay Sean (2009)
• “My Boo” by Ghost Town DJ’s (1996, from So So Def Bass All Stars) – Certified Gold
• “Krazy” by Pitbull (2008)
• “Toma” by Pitbull (2004)
• “Culo” by Pitbull (2004)
• “Tell Me When to Go” by E-40 (feat. Keak da Sneak) (2006)
• “Neva Eva” by Trillville (feat. Lil Scrappy & Lil Jon) (2004)
• “Blow the Whistle” by Too Short (2006)

Other Contributions

• So So Def Bass All Stars (1996–1998, compilation series) – Executive producer, including hit “My Boo”
• “Work” (2013) – Released for Zumba Fitness’ “Zumba Nightclub Series”
• Remixes: “Throw Some D’s (Remix)” by Rich Boy (2007), “What About Us? (Lil Jon Remix)” by Total (feat. Sean Paul), “Sweetheart (Lil Jon Remix)” by Mariah Carey
• Collaborations: Featured on “Shots” by LMFAO (2009), “I Know You Want Me” by Pitbull (2007)