Lil Jon Says Final Goodbye to 27-Year-Old Son Nathan, Reveals He Was Laid to Rest: ‘Life Will Never Be the Same’

“I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name,” the grieving father wrote in honor of his late son

Lil Jon and son Nathan

Lil Jon and son Nathan.Credit : Lil Jon/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

Lil Jon’s son, Nathan Smith, was reported missing on Feb. 3 and found deceased in a pond on Feb. 6
The musician confirmed his son’s death in a statement to PEOPLE later that same day
Nathan was laid to rest on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Lil Jon shared the following day

Lil Jon is remembering his son, Nathan Smith, days after his death.

The rapper, born Jonathan Smith, confirmed his son’s death in a Feb. 6 statement to PEOPLE, the same day the Milton, Ga., police said they recovered a body they believed to be Nathan’s from a pond.

Lil Jon, 55, posted an Instagram tribute to his son, also known as DJ Young Slade, on Thursday, Feb. 19, featuring photos of Nathan throughout his life, from his days as a newborn to performing on stage.

Lil Jon and son Nathan

Lil Jon and son Nathan.Lil Jon/Instagram

Lil Jon also revealed that Nathan was laid to rest on the first day of Ramadan, Wednesday, Feb. 18.

“In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family. Please pray that Allah grants him Jannah and grants us sabr, mercy, and strength,” Lil Jon wrote. “I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength.”

The “Damn I Love Miami” musician expressed gratitude for those who “reached out with condolences, love, and prayers,” adding, “I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name. Nathan Murray Smith.”

Lil Jon and son Nathan

Lil Jon and son Nathan.Lil Jon/Instagram

“Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet,” Lil Jon said in his Feb. 6 statement.

“He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted – he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest,” the statement continued. “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.”

Lil Jon and son Nathan

Lil Jon and son Nathan.Lil Jon/Instagram

Nathan reportedly ran out of his house without his phone and was last seen at 6 a.m. on Feb. 3. Three days later, the “Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the pond,” the Milton Police Department (MPD) said in a statement.

There is “no indication of foul play,” but it remains an “open and active investigation,” MPD said. The Fulton County Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time,” MPD said on Feb. 6. “The department respectfully asks the community and members of the media to honor the family’s request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy.”