Lil Jon is the stage name of Jonathan Smith, an American rapper, DJ, and record producer. In order to create the group “Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz,” he worked with the rappers Big Sam and Lil’ Bo. Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album, their first album, was released in 1998. Lil Jon launched his own label and issued his seminal album, “We Still Crunk!” in 2000. Along with being a singer, he also represents Don Julio tequila as a brand ambassador and has his own clothing line, called “2Vicious.” Over the years, he has made several appearances in television programs, including “Wild ‘n Out” (2006), “Class of 3000” (2007), “Ridiculousness” (2012), and many others. Jon has appeared in a few movies in addition to TV shows. But Jon is a legend because of his songs and music. His super-hit tunes have appeared in popular films like “The Proposal,” “The Hangover,” and the “Step Up” series.
Early Childhood & Life
In Atlanta, Georgia, on January 17, 1971, Lil Jon was born. He was raised in Georgia and earned his high school diploma at Atlanta’s Frederick Douglass High School.
Between 1993 and 2000, he performed as a DJ in nightclubs in Atlanta as well as for So So Def Recordings.
Lil Jon’s Career
Jonathan Smith started his career going by Lil Jon. Together with the rappers Big Sam and Lil Bo, he founded the band Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.
The trio was signed by Atlanta-based Mirror Image Records, and Ichiban Records released their record. Their album “Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album” made its debut in 1997.
The singles “Who U Wit?” and “Shawty Freak a Lil’ Sumthin’,” the latter of which was released in 1998, were both included on Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz’s album.
Both singles received a lot of support from their followers and debuted at positions 70 and 62, respectively, on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Jon made the choice to launch his own record label, BME Recordings, in the year 2000. He also secured a distribution contract with Southern Music Distribution, a company based in Norcross, Georgia.
The popular album “We Still Crunk!” by Jon was published in 2000. The album contained a number of popular songs, including singles like “I Like Those Girls.” The song peaked at number three on the Hot Rap Tracks list and at number 55 on the R&B chart.
Through his songs, Jon achieved popularity and fortune and generated a lot of media attention. The marketing team referred to him as the “new man.” In cities like Atlanta, St. Louis, Memphis, and Dallas, Lil Jon was extremely well-liked.
Attending Lil Jon’s Atlanta performances, Bryan Leach, A & R of TVT, was blown away by his performance. He was grateful for Jon’s tremendous energy during his performance. The enthusiasm of the band, according to Leach’s observation in the Hit Quarters, is what makes crunk music so popular.
Jon joined The East Side Boyz in 2001 and signed with TVT Records. They made their debut with the album “Put Yo Hood Up,” which also combined the music from earlier albums.
Rappers Ludacris, Too Short, Big Kapp, and Chyna Whyte were part of the trio that released the tune “Bia Bia” and performed it across the country. Bia received widespread acclaim and reached its highest point at No. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 47 on the Billboard R&B chart.
The group released the album “Kings of Crunk” in 2002. Their debut single, “I Don’t Give A,” which also included Krayzie Bone and Mystikal, peaked at number 50 on the R&B Chart.
The trio teamed up with Ying Yang Twins, another Atlanta hip-hop duo, to record their debut single, “Get Low.” The song was a smash hit in nightclubs all across the country and peaked at number 10 on the Hot 100.
The song “What U Gon’ Do” from the group’s fifth studio album, “Crunk Juice,” which was released in 2004, peaked at no. 22 on the Hot 100, no. 13 on the R&B chart, and no. 5 on the rap chart. The following single from the album, “Lovers & Friends,” featured Usher and Ludacris. It reached its highest point at No. 3 on the Hot 100, No. 2 on R&B, and No. 1 on rap.
Independent work & Production
Lil Jon has created a lot of urban hit tunes in addition to singing. When he was still a member of The East Side Boyz, he also produced numerous singles.
He worked with the Ying Yang Twins from 2003 to 2005, producing songs like “Salt Shaker,” “Yeah,” “Freek-a-Leak,” “Shorty Wanna Ride,” and “Shake That Monkey,” and “Girlfriend” by Brooke Valentine.
He joined the San Francisco Bay Area hip-hop scene in 2006 when he teamed up with the rapper E-40 from the region. He created the song “Go to Church” for Ice Cube that same year.
Jon declared in 2006 that he would never again collaborate with TVT Records, accusing the company’s owner Steve Gottlieb of misleading him. However, he eventually dropped his protest when TVT was sold, two years later.
On June 8, 2010, the rock album “Crunk Rock” was published. It had a number of top performers, including LMFAO, Soulja Boy, Ying Yang Twins, and others.
Jon launched the track “Turn Down for What” with DJ Snake in January 2014, then on July 22, 2014, he released “Bend Ova,” which featured Tyga and peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His Bigger Works
Over the years, Lil Jon has recorded a number of songs that have consistently appeared on the Top 100 list. He has also written a number of extremely popular singles. But the song “Yeah,” with Usher and Ludacris, is the one for which he is best remembered. Additionally, his 2015 DJ Snake collaboration “Turn Down for What” was well-received.
Recognition & Achievements
In 2005, Lil Jon shared the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy Award with Usher and Ludacris for the song “Yeah!”
His song “Turn Down for What” alongside DJ Snake took up the Best Direction prize at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.
Personal Legacy & Life
Lil Jon married Nicole Smith in 2004. Nathan Smith, the son of the couple, was born in 1998.
He has made guest appearances on “Talking Dead” and is a major admirer of the popular television program “The Walking Dead.”
Estimated Net Worth
Lil Jon is a $30 million dollar rapper, songwriter, record producer, DJ, and actor from the United States. He became well-known for leading the band Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon is considered one of the founders of the crunk hip-hop subgenre.