View source for Lil Jon

{{short description|American rapper (born 1971)}}
{{distinguish|Little John}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Lil Jon
| image             = LilJon2024.jpg
| caption           = Lil Jon in 2024
| birth_name        = 
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1971|1|17}}
| birth_place       = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Crunk]]
* [[Southern hip-hop]]
* [[Electronic dance music|EDM]]
}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* record producer
* disc jockey
* entrepreneur
* music executive
}}
| instrument        = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* keyboards
* synthesizer
* drum machine
* sampler
}}
| discography       = {{hlist|[[Lil Jon discography|Recording]]|[[Lil Jon production discography|production]]}}
| years_active      = 1991–present
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
* [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* Black Market
}}
| past_member_of    = Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz
| spouse            = {{marriage|Nicole|2004|2022|end=sep.}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 1
| website           = {{URL|liljon.com}}}}
{{Infobox 
| child =yes
|header             = Logo
| headerstyle       = 
background:#b0c4de
| data1 = 
[[File:Lil-Jon-logo-copia.png|220px]]
}}
| module            = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
 | signature       = Lil Jon sig.svg
 }}
}}

'''Jonathan H. Smith'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.pov.org/offandrunning/credits/|title=Credits &#124; off and Running &#124; POV |work=POV &#124; American Documentary Inc. |publisher= PBS|date=January 10, 2010}}</ref> (born January 17, 1971),<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|title=Lil Jon – Biography|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p276335/biography|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|year=2006|access-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref> better known by his stage name '''Lil Jon''', is an American rapper and record producer. Regarded as a progenitor of the club-oriented [[hip-hop]] subgenre [[crunk]], his production and voice presence were instrumental in the genre's commercial breakthrough in the early 2000s.<ref name="CL">{{cite web|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-184728-Cover-Story:-All-Hail-the-King-Crunk|title=Lil Jon heralds a new Southern music movement|last1=Sarig|first1=Roni|website=Creative Loafing|access-date=January 26, 2019}}</ref> He was also the front man of the group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, with whom he has released five albums.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lil+Jon&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold and Platinum Certifications|publisher=[[RIAA]]|access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/lil-jon| title=Lil Jon:Artist Page|publisher=[[Recording Academy]]|access-date= January 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lavin |first1=Will |title=Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris share new song 'SexBeat' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/lil-jon-premiere-new-usher-collaboration-featuring-ludacris-2641145 |website=NME |date=April 10, 2020 |publisher=BandLad Technologies |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref>

Having been credited on most crunk releases throughout the 2000s, Lil Jon produced several of the genre's [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] hits including "[[Salt Shaker (song)|Salt Shaker]]" by [[Ying Yang Twins]], "[[Cyclone (song)|Cyclone]]" by [[Baby Bash]], "[[Damn! (song)|Damn!]]" by [[YoungBloodZ]], "[[Freek-a-Leek]]" by [[Petey Pablo]], "[[Goodies (song)|Goodies]]" by [[Ciara]], and "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" by [[Usher (musician)|Usher]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/28/arts/music/lil-john-crunks-up-the-volume.html|title=Lil John Crunks Up the Volume|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|date=November 28, 2004|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 27, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The latter won Lil Jon a [[Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance|Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance]] as part of his five [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nominations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nominees/Winners |url=https://www.grammy.com/search/Lil%20Jon |website=Grammys |publisher=The Recording Academy |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref> As a lead artist, three of his own singles—"[[Lovers and Friends (song)|Lovers and Friends]]" (with the East Side Boyz featuring Usher and [[Ludacris]]), "[[Get Low (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz song)|Get Low]]" (with the East Side Boyz featuring Ying Yang Twins), and "[[Snap Yo Fingers]]" (featuring [[E-40]] and [[YoungBloodZ|Sean P]])—peaked within the chart's top ten. His debut studio album, ''[[Crunk Rock]]'' (2010), was met with lukewarm critical and commercial response.

In 2013, Lil Jon released "[[Turn Down for What]]" (with [[DJ Snake]]), an [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] single that has been certified [[RIAA certification|8× platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Turn Down For What |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Turn+Down+For+What#search_section |website=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> The song went on to win the [[Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song|''Billboard'' Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Music Awards Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/6568580/billboard-music-awards-2015-winners-list |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> Its accompanying music video was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]] at the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards]], and passed the milestone of 1&nbsp;billion views on [[YouTube]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edmhousenetwork.com/released-6-years-ago-dj-snake-lil-jon-turn-down-for-what/ |title=Released 7 Years Ago: DJ SNAKE & Lil Jon – Turn Down For What |date=January 17, 2021 |last=Smith |first=Dylan |website=EDM House Network |access-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407053009/https://edmhousenetwork.com/released-6-years-ago-dj-snake-lil-jon-turn-down-for-what/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Listed as one of the Top ''Billboard'' Music Award Winners of All Time in 2016,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/7386047/top-billboard-music-award-winners-all-time-1990-2016|title=Top Billboard Music Award Winners of All Time (1990–2016)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref> Lil Jon has amassed his eight number one singles on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anderson |first1=Trevor |title=Saweetie's 'My Type' Hits No. 1 on Rhythmic Songs Airplay Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8530990/saweetie-my-type-no-1-rhythmic-songs-airplay-chart |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Smith was born in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and raised in a middle-class neighborhood located in [[Southwest Atlanta]]. He is the oldest of five children born to his father, an aerospace engineer with former military service, and his mother, with a medical career within the military. Three of his siblings would later follow their parents' lead and also serve in the United States military.<ref name="CL" />

Smith attended Beecher Hills Elementary School and Southwest Middle School, both located within the [[Atlanta Public Schools]] district.<ref name="Da Capo Press">{{cite book |last1=Sarig |first1=Roni |title=Third Coast: Outkast, Timbaland, and How Hip-hop Became a Southern Thing |date=April 30, 2017 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=978-0306814303 |page=283 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-f0AAwAAQBAJ&dq=What+middle+school+did+lil+jon+attend&pg=PA283 |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref> His mother described him as a high achiever early on in addition to being independent and a passionate reader.<ref name="Da Capo Press"/> While in middle school, Smith became lifelong friends with Robert McDowell, Dwayne "Emperor" Searcy (future DJ and radio personality for [[Urban One|Radio One]]'s [[WHTA]]),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Exclusive: Emperor Searcy gone from Hot 107.9 after 20 years |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/exclusive-emperor-searcy-gone-from-hot-107-after-years/FWs9yTmewgIKAlWXwfY38L/ |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref> and Vince Phillips (named as one of ''Billboard''<nowiki/>'s Top Music Lawyers since 2020),<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |title=Revealed: Billboard's 2020 Top Music Lawyers |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-top-music-lawyers-2020-list-9424332/ |website=Billboard Magazine |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Not stated--> Staff |title=Revealed: Billboard's 2021 Top Music Lawyers |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/billboard-top-music-lawyers-2021-list/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Not stated-->  |title=Revealed: Billboard's 2022 Top Music Lawyers |url=https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/march-28-2022-billboard-bulletin.pdf |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Not stated-->  |title=Billboard's 2023 Top Music Lawyers Revealed |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/billboard-top-music-lawyers-2023-list/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref> who would become business partners. The foursome quickly became immersed in the [[skateboarding]] culture and would later work at Skate Escape, a popular skate and bicycle shop near the city's iconic [[Piedmont Park]]. While his best friends attended [[Benjamin Elijah Mays High School|Benjamin E. Mays High School]], Smith attended [[Douglass High School (Atlanta)|Frederick Douglass High School]] for their [[Magnet school|magnet program]] and was a member of the marching band.<ref name="CL" /> They also began to frequently attend concerts at [[The Masquerade (Atlanta)|the Masquerade]], to see their favorite bands, including [[Agent Orange (band)|Agent Orange]] and [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].<ref name="Da Capo Press"/>

At the age of 15, Smith taught himself how to [[Disc jockey|DJ]],<ref name="CL" /> and although his parents were strict, they gave him a chance to work on his DJ skills by allowing him to have house parties in the basement of the family home, citing that they would rather have him under their watch than for him to "be in the street somewhere wilding out".<ref name="Huffington Post">{{cite web |last1=Presno |first1=Caroline |title=Lil Jon Talks Fatherhood, Marriage, and His Hit Party Anthem "Turn Down For What" |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-presno/lil-jon-talks-fatherhood-_b_5398293.html |website=HuffPost |date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=January 26, 2019}}</ref> The parties, hosted by Smith and Searcy, "[[Olde English 800|Old Eng]] and Chicken Wing" became popular with local teens. In addition to working at the skate shop, Smith also began spinning at house parties and working in local [[Nightclub|dance clubs]] as a DJ.<ref name="CL" /> Eventually, Smith became an in-house DJ at Phoenix, a popular Atlanta nightclub at the time. It was there he would meet established music artists such as [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[TLC (group)|TLC]], [[the Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Craig Mack]], and [[Mary J. Blige]].<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Still, The King of Crunk |url=https://www.lofficielarabia.com/digital-co-lab/still-the-king-of-crunk |website=L'Officiel |publisher=Chalk Media FZ LLC under license from Jalou Media Group |access-date=January 13, 2022|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113020319/https://www.lofficielarabia.com/digital-co-lab/still-the-king-of-crunk |archive-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref>

==Career==
=== 1991–2000: So So Def Recordings===
After graduating from high school, Lil Jon continued to work as a DJ in popular downtown Atlanta clubs;<ref name="CL" /> it was there he met [[Jermaine Dupri]]. When it came to hiring an [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] to lead his Atlanta-based record label [[So So Def Recordings]], Dupri stated that "All I could think about was Lil Jon, because he was the person in the clubs. He knew people, DJs knew him. I had to hire him."

After he was promoted to Executive Vice President of A&R, Lil Jon recruited [[Mr. Collipark|DJ Smurf]], [[Shawty Redd]], [[Raheem the Dream]], and Playa Poncho with others to create the compilation album series, ''[[So So Def Bass All-Stars]]'' as his first project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-161076-So-So-Def-at-20:-How-it-all-began|title= So So Def at 20: How it all began |work=[[Creative Loafing]]|date=February 21, 2013|access-date=July 20, 2016}}</ref> Released on May 12, 1996, the album was a success, selling over 500,000 units and was certified gold by the [[RIAA certification|RIAA]] on September 19, 1996, four months after its initial release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|publisher=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> The album, executive produced by Lil Jon, included the hit single "[[My Boo (Ghost Town DJ's song)|My Boo]]" by [[Ghost Town DJ's]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/05/ghost-town-djs-my-boo-oral-history/|title=Heard and Unseen: The Oral History of Ghost Town DJ's 'My Boo' {{!}} SPIN|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2016}}</ref> It was sampled by [[Ciara]] in her 2013 hit single "[[Body Party]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2016/05/ghost-town-djs-my-boo-oral-history/|title=Heard and Unseen: The Oral History of Ghost Town DJ's 'My Boo'|date=May 26, 2016|website=Spin|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> In 2016, 20 years after its initial release, the song re-entered the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart at number 29 due to a viral dance video.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/ghost-town-djs-my-boo-viral-dance-hot-100/|title=Ghost Town DJ's' 1996 Hit 'My Boo' Reaches New Hot 100 High Thanks to Viral Dance Video|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> Lil Jon completed the series, releasing ''So So Def Bass All-Stars Vol. II'' (1997)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/so-so-def-bass-all-stars-vol-2-mw0000594451|title=So So Def Bass All-Stars, Vol. 2 – Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> and ''So So Def Bass All-Stars Vol. III'' (1998).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/so-so-def-bass-all-stars-mw0000648040|title=So So Def Bass All-Stars – Various Artists {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref>

Apart from his label commitments, Lil Jon was a radio personality and DJ on Atlanta radio station, [[WVEE|V-103]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/music-interviews/lil-john/|title=Lil Jon|website=www.thrashermagazine.com|language=en|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> continued to produce music for outside music artists, and was still working as a DJ at popular clubs around the city.<ref name="CL" />

=== 1995–2005: Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz ===
In 1995, Lil Jon collaborated with Big Sam and Lil' Bo to form a rap group: Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz.<ref name="Big Chips 2">{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem |title=Lil' Jon: Big Chips (page 2)|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/l/lil_jon/news_feature_041101/index2.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=November 1, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112041539/http://www.mtv.com/bands/l/lil_jon/news_feature_041101/index2.jhtml|archive-date=November 12, 2004|access-date=May 18, 2010}}</ref>

In 1996, the group released their debut single, "Who U Wit?". The song is credited as bringing the term "[[crunk]]" into hip-hop currency.<ref name="CL" /> In 1997, the group released their debut album ''[[Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album]]''. The singles, "Who U Wit" and "Shawty Freak a Lil Sumtin'", charted on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart at number 70 and number 62, respectively.<ref name="Billboard singles">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p276335/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}}|title=Lil Jon > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref>

In 2000, through the newly created label Black Market, the group released their breakthrough album ''[[We Still Crunk!!]]'', which featured the single "I Like Dem Girlz", which reached number 55 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart and number 3 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Rap Songs|Hot Rap Tracks]] chart.<ref name="Billboard singles" />

Bryan Leach, formerly an A&R executive at the now defunct New York-based label [[TVT Records]], heard about the group and attended their Atlanta show. He was blown away by the group's immense energy. Leach told [[HitQuarters]]: "It was like early [[Beastie Boys]], when they had the energy of a [[Rock music|rock]] group but they were rapping and it was just so different. Jon and I even referred to Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz as the black Beastie Boys because that energy is what crunk music is all about."<ref name="HitQ">{{cite web |last1=Mean |first1=Jean-Francois |title=Interview with Bryan Leach |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_BryanLeachInt.html |website=Hitquarters.com |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127153000/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_BryanLeachInt.html |archive-date=January 27, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 2002, Leach signed Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz to TVT Records with Black Market delivering the albums to the label. The group released the album ''[[Put Yo Hood Up]]'', which combined previously released tracks with new ones. "[[Bia' Bia']]" (featuring [[Ludacris]], [[Too Short]], [[Big Kap]], and [[Chyna Whyte]]) was the group's first single to be played nationally.<ref name="allmusic" /> "Bia' Bia'" peaked at number 97 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number 47 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart.<ref name="Billboard singles" /> The album was certified gold by the RIAA in June 2002.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/?s=Lil+Jon|title=RIAA Certifications|website=RIAA|publisher=The Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref>

In 2002, the group released their sophomore studio album under the label ''[[Kings of Crunk]]'' with the song "I Don't Give a Fuck" (featuring [[Mystikal]] and [[Krayzie Bone]]) as the first single. It peaked at number 50 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart.<ref name="Billboard singles" /> The group's next single, "[[Get Low (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz song)|Get Low]]" (featuring [[Ying Yang Twins]]), became popular in nightclubs nationwide; it reached the top ten on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="Billboard singles" /> The album was certified multi-platinum by the RIAA in August 2004.<ref name="RIAA" /> The song was also featured in ''[[Need for Speed: Underground]]'', which plays in the main menu as well as gameplay. In 2003, the group released ''[[Part II (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz album)|Part II]]'', a remix album of previously released singles with a two new songs.

In 2004, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz released what would be the group's last studio album, ''[[Crunk Juice]]''. The lead single "[[What U Gon' Do]]" (featuring [[Lil Scrappy]]) peaked at number 22 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number 13 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart, and number 5 on the ''Billboard'' Rap chart. The second single, "[[Lovers and Friends (song)|Lovers and Friends]]" (featuring [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] and Ludacris), peaked at number 3 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number 2 on the ''Billboard'' R&B Chart, and number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Rap chart.<ref name="Billboard singles" /> The album was certified multi-platinum in January 2005, two months after it was released.<ref name="RIAA" /> In 2005, after releasing six studio albums together and amidst ongoing creative and financial conflicts with TVT, the group disbanded.

=== 2006–present: Solo career ===
In 2006, Lil Jon, in an attempt to fulfill his obligations to TVT, released the single "[[Snap Yo Fingers]]" (featuring [[E-40]] and [[YoungBloodZ|Sean P]]). The song peaked at number 7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and was certified platinum on November 22, 2006.<ref name=":0" /> After the song was released, Lil Jon vowed to never to record for TVT Records again.<ref name="Reference 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8400/1|title=Lil Jon Readies Rock Album|work=SOHH.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912112226/http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8400/1|archive-date=September 12, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=February 22, 2006}}</ref> In 2008, TVT Records, embroiled in legal battles, filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tvt-file-bankruptcy-105231|title=TVT to file for bankruptcy|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 20, 2008|language=en|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref>

In 2009, Lil Jon was featured alongside [[Sean Paul]] on [[Jay Sean]]'s double platinum<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Jay+Sean#search_section |website=Recording Industry of America |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> single "[[Do You Remember (Jay Sean song)|Do You Remember]]" that was featured in the 2010 remake of ''[[The Karate Kid (2010 film)|The Karate Kid]]''. On February 16, 2010, Lil Jon released a song with Jamie Drastik called "How Many Girls" which is as a track to Drastik's mixtape, ''The Magnet''. On June 8, 2010, Lil Jon release his first solo album, ''[[Crunk Rock]]'', through [[Universal Republic Records]]. It featured artists such as [[LMFAO]], Ying Yang Twins, [[Pitbull (rapper)|Pitbull]], [[3OH!3]], [[Ice Cube]], [[Waka Flocka Flame]], [[Stephen Marley]], and [[Damian Marley]] among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/08/lil_jon_goes_to_the_orchard/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918110913/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/08/lil_jon_goes_to_the_orchard/|url-status=dead|title=VIBE: Lil Jon Goes to the Orchard|archivedate=September 18, 2008}}</ref> The album peaked at number 8 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart and reached number 5 on the ''Billboard'' [[Top Rap Albums]] chart. The single, "[[Hey (Lil Jon song)|Hey]]" (featuring 3OH!3), was also featured on the soundtrack for [[MTV]]'s ''[[Jersey Shore (TV series)|Jersey Shore]]'' with the entire cast appearing in the music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2296245/video-lil-jon-3oh3-hey-jersey-shore/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181344/http://www.mtv.com/news/2296245/video-lil-jon-3oh3-hey-jersey-shore/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2019|title=Video Premiere: Lil Jon Featuring 3OH!3, 'Hey'|last=Anitai|first=Tamar|website=MTV News|language=en|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> The second single, "Outta Your Mind" (featuring LMFAO), was featured in the film [[Project X (2012 film)|''Project X'']] and used by [[Stephen "tWitch" Boss|Alex & Twitch]] on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] television series, ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series)|So You Think You Can Dance]]'', which is considered to be the finest hip-hop routine ever performed on the series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/08/12/ellen-degeneres-twitch-sytycd-finale/|title=Ellen DeGeneres to dance with tWitch on 'SYTYCD' finale|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref>

Lil Jon said that "after the crunk era, I was fried from producing so much," eventually rediscovering a passion for performing as a DJ after discovering DJ Spider. This led to him meeting [[Steve Aoki]], with whom he teamed up alongside [[Laidback Luke]] to record the song "[[Turbulence (song)|Turbulence]]", released on May 14, 2011,<ref name=vegas/> as a [[Music download|digital download]] in the United Kingdom and was released on July 17, 2011, as an EP. The [[radio edit]] version of the song was included on the [[Special edition|bonus track version]] of Aoki's debut album ''[[Wonderland (Steve Aoki album)|Wonderland]]''. The song is also the current official goal song for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].

In July 2011, he released a song with LMFAO called "Drink" through [[Ultra Records]]. It was used in the trailer for the film ''[[The World's End (film)|The World's End]]''. In 2012, he appeared on three songs featured in the film ''[[Step Up Revolution]]'' and on [[Step Up Revolution: Music from the Motion Picture|the film's soundtrack]]. He would go on to perform one of the songs from the film, "[[Goin' In]]" by [[Jennifer Lopez]] on the season finale of television series ''[[American Idol]]''.

In 2013, Lil Jon collaborated with [[DJ Snake]] and released "[[Turn Down for What]]" on [[Columbia Records]]. The song reached number 1 on ''Billboard'''s [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic]] and [[Hot Dance/Electronic Songs]] charts, number 2 on the [[Dance/Mix Show Airplay]] chart, number 4 on the Hot 100, and number 5 on the [[Pop Airplay|Mainstream Top 40]]. The song has had significant use in media and was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Turn+Down+For+What%22|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – November, 2016|website=Riaa.com|access-date=November 11, 2016}}</ref> Lil Jon also partnered with [[Zumba|Zumba Fitness]] to create a new nightclub tour titled "Zumba Nightclub Series" and for the Zumba Fitness series, he released a new song called "Work".

On July 22, 2014, Lil Jon released the single "[[Bend Ova]]" (featuring [[Tyga]]) on [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bend-ova-feat-tyga-single/898058028|title=iTunes – Music – Bend Ova (feat. Tyga) – Single by Lil Jon|work=iTunes|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-jon-bend-ova-feat-tyga-cdq-new-song.1918500.html|title=Lil Jon – Bend Ova (CDQ) Feat. Tyga|first=Kevin|last=Goddard|work=HotNewHipHop|date=June 17, 2014|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> The song was featured in the two part series finale of the [[NBC]] television series ''[[Parks and Recreation]]''. "[[Take It Off (Lil Jon song)|Take It Off]]" (featuring [[Yandel]] and [[Becky G]]) was released on July 22, 2016, and the single "Alive" (featuring [[Offset (rapper)|Offset]] and [[2 Chainz]]) was released in 2018 on [[Geffen Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/take-it-off-feat-yandel-becky-g-single/1136906593|title=Take It Off (feat. Yandel & Becky G) – Single by Lil Jon|date=July 22, 2016|website=[[iTunes]]|access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, Lil Jon released the [[Christmas music|Christmas]] single "All I Really Want for Christmas" (featuring [[Kool-Aid Man]]) in cooperation with the [[Kool-Aid]] brand of soft drinks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/18/entertainment/lil-jon-all-i-really-want-for-christmas/index.html|title=Lil Jon did a Christmas song with Kool-Aid Man and the holidays will never be the same|first=Chloe|last=Melas|date=December 18, 2018|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref>

In 2018, Lil Jon appeared in volume two of the [[Future (rapper)|Future]]-led soundtrack for the film ''[[Superfly (2018 film)|Superfly]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stream Future, Rick Ross and More on 'Superfly' Soundtrack Vol. 2 |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2018/06/future-superfly-soundtrack-vol-2-featuring-rick-ross-g-herbo-french-montana/ |website=XXL |date=June 16, 2018}}</ref> The following year, he appeared in the soundtrack for ''[[Spies in Disguise]]'', curated by [[Mark Ronson]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shaffer |first1=Claire |title=Mark Ronson Unveils 'Spies in Disguise' Soundtrack Tracklist |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mark-ronson-spies-in-disguise-soundtrack-914164/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 18, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

Lil Jon made a cameo in Usher's [[Super Bowl LVIII halftime show]], performing "Turn Down for What" and his portion of "Yeah!".

{{external media| float = right| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5129051/rapper-lil-jon-makes-appearance-dnc Lil Jon introducing Georgia in the ceremonial state roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, August 20, 2024], [[C-SPAN]]}}

Lil Jon appeared at the [[2024 Democratic National Convention]] and introduced the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] delegation during the ceremonial roll call. He performed "Turn Down for What" and "Get Low", and instead of rapping "To the window ... to the wall!", he rapped "[[Kamala Harris|VP Harris]] ... [[Tim Walz|Governor Walz]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=2024-08-21 |title=Lil Jon Transforms DNC Roll Call Into a Party With 'Turn Down for What' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-jon-dnc-roll-call-peforms-turn-down-for-what-1235084110/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delegates 'Get Low' With Lil Jon in a Musical Roll-Call Vote for Harris|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 20, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/us/politics/lil-jon-dnc-harris.html/ |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>

==Other ventures==
=== BME Recordings ===
In 2004, Lil Jon, Robert McDowell, Vince Phillips, and Dwayne "Emperor" Searcy launched BME Recordings in a joint venture with [[Warner Records|Warner Bros. Records]] and released ''[[The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Trillville & Lil Scrappy]]'' (2004), with Lil Jon producing most of the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040203005207/en/Lil-Jon-Launches-Label-BME-Recordings |title=Lil Jon Launches His Own Label, BME Recordings|date=February 3, 2004|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> The single "[[Some Cut]]" has been a favorite of samplers over the years.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hip-hop-sample-squeaking-bed-exo-karol-g-lil-jon-760286/|title=The Squeaking Bed Sample: How Hip-Hop's Horniest Sound Effect Conquered the World|last1=Leight|first1=Elias |date=November 28, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> The label entered the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] [[hyphy]] music scene with Bay Area rapper [[E-40]], releasing the album, ''[[My Ghetto Report Card]]'' (2006) with the Lil Jon-produced single "[[Tell Me When to Go]]". The label released the album ''[[Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live]]'' (2006) by Lil Scrappy.

=== Acting career ===
In 2003, Lil Jon was the voice of Jang Ryang in the American remake of the South Korean film ''[[Volcano High]]'', broadcast on MTV. After he was famously parodied by comedian [[Dave Chappelle]], he would go on to make numerous appearances on the [[Comedy Central]] series ''[[Chappelle's Show]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/02/today-in-hip-hop-dave-chappelle-plays-lil-jon-on-chappelles-show/|title=Today in Hip-Hop: Dave Chappelle As Lil Jon on 'Chappelle's Show' – XXL|last=Seabrook|first=Robby III|website=XXL Mag|date=February 25, 2018 |language=en |access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> He has since appeared on various television shows including [[André 3000]]'s animated series ''[[Class of 3000]]'', ''[[Crank Yankers]]'', ''[[Robotomy]]'', ''[[Hell's Kitchen (American TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]'', ''[[Tiny House Nation]]'', ''Hollywood Puppet Show'', ''[[American Idol]]'', ''[[About a Boy (TV series)|About a Boy]]'', ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]'', and ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series) season 13|All-Star Celebrity Apprentice]]'', ''[[Bar Rescue]]'', ''[[The Bachelorette (American TV series)|The Bachelorette]]'', ''[[Hip Hop Squares]]'', and a commercial for [[Bud Light]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-jon-bud-light-commerical-interview-6605751/|title=Lil Jon on Bud Light {{sic|Comm|erical|nolink=y}}, Pressures of Being the Life of the Party & New Music|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lil-jon/credits/197774|title=Lil Jon {{!}} TV Guide|website=TV Guide|language=en|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> Lil Jon is a fan of the television series ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]'' and has made multiple appearances as a guest on ''[[Talking Dead]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/whaat-yeaaahh-okaaay-atlanta-walking-dead-super-fan-lil-jon-shows-talking-dead/5OlAVrrDCUJEBpG3xCivxM/|title=Whaat? Yeaaahh! Okaaay! Atlanta 'Walking Dead' super fan Lil Jon shows up on "Talking Dead"|last=Rodney Ho|first=Radio and TV Talk|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> On January 29, 2019, a [[Pepsi]] [[Super Bowl commercials|Super Bowl commercial]] featuring Lil Jon, rapper [[Cardi B]], and actor [[Steve Carell]] was released.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/super-bowl/8495287/cardi-b-lil-jon-steve-carrell-pepsi-super-bowl-commercial-full-ad|title=Cardi B, Lil Jon & Steve Carrell Are Way Better Than Just 'OK' in Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial: Watch Full Ad|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> In 2022, Lil Jon teamed up with interior designer Anitra Mecadon for the [[HGTV]] series'' Lil Jon Wants to Do What?'', centered around home renovations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hgtv.com/shows/hgtv-news/lil-jon-comes-to-hgtv|title=Lil Jon Comes to HGTV In New Home-Renovation Series|publisher=HGTV|author=Alkire, Caroline }}</ref>

=== Guided meditation ===
Lil Jon released two albums of [[guided meditation]] in 2024. His first album of guided meditations, ''Total Meditation'', was released on February 16, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Novak |first1=Analisa |title=Lil Jon swaps crunk for calm with new album "Total Meditation"  |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lil-jon-swaps-crunk-for-calm-with-new-album-total-meditation/ |website=CBS News |access-date=15 May 2024 |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> His second album of guided meditations, ''Manifest Abundance: Affirmations of Personal Growth'', was released on May 10.<ref name="blackenterprise.com">{{cite web |last1=JoVonn |first1=Jeroslyn |title=Lil Jon Manifests Abundance On New Guided Meditation Album, 'You Have To Change Your Way Of Thinking' |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/lil-jon-manifests-abundance-guided-meditation-album/ |website=Black Enterprise |access-date=15 May 2024 |date=10 May 2024}}</ref>  Lil Jon's goal with these guided meditations is to help people find peace and worry less by developing a new way of thinking through meditation. Lil Jon meditates daily with affirmations.<ref name="blackenterprise.com"/>

=== Soul Chakra ===
Lil Jon founded wellness brand Soul Chakra in 2024. The brand offers a range of products and services aimed at promoting holistic well-being, including crystals, apparel, and guided meditation albums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soul Chakra™ {{!}} A Haven for Total Holistic Well-Being |url=https://www.soulchakra.com/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Soul Chakra |language=en}}</ref>

== Musical style and influences ==
Jason Birchmeier of [[AllMusic]] has described Lil Jon's production as "bass-heavy", and his album ''[[Put Yo Hood Up]]'' as having "a long and varied list of guest rappers to accompany the beats". Describing that album with guest performers, Birchmeier remarked: "The end result is an album that resembles a street-level mixtape rather than a traditional artist-oriented album".<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r536036/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Put Yo Hood Up: Review|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|date=May 22, 2001|publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref>

Lil Jon was specifically influenced by [[2 Live Crew]], [[8Ball & MJG]], [[Three 6 Mafia]], [[Outkast]], [[Geto Boys]], [[UGK]], [[N.W.A]], [[DJ Toomp]], [[Dr. Dre]], and [[Sir Mix-a-Lot]]. Alex Henderson, also of AllMusic, contrasted Lil Jon's style of "rowdy, in-your-face, profanity-filled party music" with other Southern rappers, those who "have a gangsta/thug life agenda" and those who convey "serious sociopolitical messages".<ref name="Kings of Crunk">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r604626/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Kings of Crunk: Review |last=Henderson|first=Alex|year=2002|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref> Lil Jon has also found influence in rock music, having worked with [[Rick Rubin]] and [[Korn]].<ref name="bangs head">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486976/05122004/lil_jon_1.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603090807/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486976/05122004/lil_jon_1.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2004|title=Lil Jon Bangs Head, Creates 'Crunk-Rock'|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=May 12, 2004|publisher=MTV News|access-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref> He expresses this influence in his aggressive delivery and 'yelling' style of rap. He was seen on [[VH1]]'s 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time program wearing a [[Bad Brains]] T-shirt, and he used to listen to [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] while growing up in the South in the 1970s.

== Personal life ==
In 1998 with then girlfriend Nicole his son Nathan (known as DJ Young Slade) was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theybf.com/2010/09/09/spotted-lil-jon-his-wife-son-have-family-dinner-at-katsuya|title=SPOTTED: Lil Jon & His Wife & Son Have Family Dinner At Katsuya|publisher=The Young, Black, and Fabulous|access-date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409021727/https://theybf.com/2010/09/09/spotted-lil-jon-his-wife-son-have-family-dinner-at-katsuya|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 2004 he and Nicole married in Puerto Rico;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/who-is-nicole-smith-lil-jon-wife-8579237|title=Who Is Lil Jon's Estranged Wife? All About Nicole Smith|website=People.com}}</ref> they amicably separated in 2022.  Lil Jon has stated that one of his greatest joys is seeing everything come full circle with his son, who has been DJing since the age of 11.<ref>{{cite web|author=Presno, Caroline|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-presno/lil-jon-talks-fatherhood-_b_5398293.html|title=Lil Jon Talks Fatherhood, Marriage, and his Party Anthem "Turn Down For What"|work=[[HuffPost]]|date=May 28, 2014|access-date= January 18, 2019}}</ref>

He is an avid fan of all of Atlanta's sports teams which included the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[Atlanta Thrashers]] until they relocated to [[Winnipeg]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/08/your-moment-of-zen-lil-jon-hanging-with-the-montreal-canadiens/|title=Your moment of zen: Lil' Jon hanging with the Montreal Canadiens|first=Joe|last=Yerdon|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref> He also follows the [[Las Vegas]] teams, claiming that being in the city during the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting]] and seeing the community response made him want to support what he calls his second home.<ref name=vegas>{{cite web|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2023/mar/09/how-crunk-king-lil-jon-fell-in-love-with-las-vegas/|title=How crunk king Lil Jon fell in love with Las Vegas and its teams|author=Sampson, Amber |work=Las Vegas Weekly|date=March 9, 2023}}</ref> His support for the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] led to him appearing in the team 2019 documentary ''Valiant'',<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lily |first1=Caitlin |title=Golden Knights to debut 'Valiant' documentary at fan screening event |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/sports/golden-knights-to-debut-valiant-documentary-at-fan-screening-event/article_7342f76a-e9ef-11e9-a819-ff1939ad596e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212120119/https://www.fox5vegas.com/sports/golden-knights-to-debut-valiant-documentary-at-fan-screening-event/article_7342f76a-e9ef-11e9-a819-ff1939ad596e.html|archive-date=December 12, 2019|access-date=December 12, 2019 |agency=Meredith Corporation Station |publisher=Fox 5 Vegas |date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> and being given a [[Stanley Cup ring]] after their [[2023 Stanley Cup Finals|2023 title]], which he wore during the [[Super Bowl LVIII halftime show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/lil-jon-golden-knights-stanley-cup-ring-super-bowl-lviii-halftime|title=Lil Jon wears Golden Knights Stanley Cup ring during Super Bowl halftime show |publisher=NHL.com|date=February 12, 2024 |author=Detwiler, Christopher }}</ref> He is also a fan of the [[University of Tennessee|University of Tennessee Volunteers]] and DJ Sterl the Pearl, who adopted his hit song "Turn Down for What" on third downs, changing it to "Third Down for What". On October 4, 2014, Lil Jon made an appearance via [[Jumbotron]] encouraging the Volunteers to beat the [[Florida Gators|University of Florida Gators]]; and also visited the Volunteers, giving them a pep talk.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Lil Jon is a notable Atlanta resident and appears on advertisements in [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Hartsfield-Jackson Airport]] welcoming new arrivals to the city. He also appears on the Jumbotron at [[Mercedes-Benz Stadium]] during [[Atlanta Falcons]] and [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]] games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind the Stripes – Lil Jon |url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/08/09/behind-stripes-lil-jon |website=Atlanta United FC |access-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212120213/https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/08/09/behind-stripes-lil-jon |url-status=dead }}</ref> During [[Super Bowl LIII]] held in Atlanta in 2019, Lil Jon appeared in the [[National Football League|NFL]]'s "This Is Atlanta" promotional video to welcome incoming visitors to the city, alongside fellow Atlanta residents, former [[Atlanta Hawks]] basketball player [[Dominique Wilkins]], former [[Atlanta Braves]] baseball player [[Chipper Jones]], civil right icons Congressman [[John Lewis]] and former congressman, [[Permanent representative to the United Nations|Ambassador to the United Nations]] and [[List of mayors of Atlanta|Mayor of Atlanta]] [[Andrew Young]], rappers [[Big Boi]] and [[Killer Mike]], singer [[Rozonda Thomas|Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas]] of [[TLC (group)|TLC]], comedian [[Jeff Foxworthy]], and television personality [[Ryan Seacrest]]. Organized by Jermaine Dupri, a host of Atlanta area high school drummers, local brass musicians and the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] also appeared and supplied the underlying music.<ref>{{cite web |title=This is Atlanta |url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap3000001014099/Atlanta-s-celebrities-welcome-Super-Bowl-LIII |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> Lil Jon also appeared in [[CBS Sports]]' official open of the network's coverage of the game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Jon gets our coverage of Super Bowl LIII started right with a special open. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obUcs5hS28s  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/obUcs5hS28s| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|website=CBS Sports | date=February 3, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Sometime in 2024, Lil Jon began dating Jamila Sozahdah who gave birth to his second child.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Jamila Sozahdah, rapper Lil Jon's baby mama: the reality TV star is one of 10 Muslim-American sisters and their show is described as 'raw, real and rife with shocking revelations' |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3285798/meet-jamila-sozahdah-rapper-lil-jons-baby-mama-reality-tv-star-one-10-muslim-american-sisters-and |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref> Later that year, he converted to [[Islam]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Famed American rapper Lil Jon embraces Islam |date=March 16, 2024 |url=https://www.siasat.com/famed-american-rapper-lil-jon-embraces-islam-2993351/ |access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
Lil Jon has worked to help children in underdeveloped countries gain access to a proper education. He has helped to fund two schools in the village of Mafi Atitekpo in [[Ghana]], in partnership with the charity [[Pencils of Promise]]. The first, Abomayaw D.A. Kindergarten, opened in October 2017. The second school, Mafi Atitekpo DA Primary School, broke ground in January 2018 and will enroll 313 children.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melas |first1=Chloe |title=Rapper Lil Jon breaks ground on second school in Ghana |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/entertainment/lil-jon-school-ghana/index.html |website=CNN |date=January 24, 2018 |access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, Pencils of Promise honored both Lil Jon and [[Trevor Noah]] in recognition of their charitable efforts at the charity's annual gala.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |title=Lil Jon, Trevor Noah Among Honorees at 2019 Pencils of Promise Gala |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8530302/lil-jon-trevor-noah-honoreest-2019-pencils-of-promise-gala |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

In 2018, a 16-year-old student of Douglass High School reached out to rapper and alumnus [[Killer Mike]] via [[Instagram]] in a last-chance attempt to raise money to cover expenses for the school marching band to travel to [[New Orleans]] to march in the annual [[Mardi Gras]] parade. To his surprise, Killer Mike not only responded positively, but also enlisted the help of fellow alumni Lil Jon and [[T.I.]] They and donors covered the trip for the students.<ref>{{cite news|author= Poole, Sheila|url=https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/killer-mike-lil-jon-and-sza-pitch-help-douglass-high-band/IKuQUkoO3VylYP1osRptWI/|title=Rappers, others to help high school band get to Mardi Gras|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date= January 18, 2019}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Lil Jon discography|Lil Jon production discography}}

=== Solo album ===
*''[[Crunk Rock]]'' (2010)

=== Collaboration albums ===
'''With 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)
{{np}}{{pb}}
'''With Kabir Sehgal'''
*''Total Meditation'' (2024)
*''Manifest Abundance: Affirmations for Personal Growth'' (2024)

== Awards and nominations ==

=== American Music Awards ===
The [[American Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony created by [[Dick Clark]] in 1973. Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz has received two nominations, winning one for [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Band/Duo/Group|Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Band/Duo/Group]].<ref>{{cite magazine|access-date=June 21, 2018|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/69081/2003-ama-awards-nominees|title=2003 AMA Nominees  |magazine=Billboard|date=September 16, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=June 21, 2018|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/amas/grh.htm|title=AMA Award History |publisher=RockOnTheNet}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[American Music Awards of 2003 (November)|2003]] || Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz || [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Band/Duo/Group|Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Band/Duo/Group]] || {{won}}
|-
| {{ama|2005}} || Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz || Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Band/Duo/Group || {{nom}}
{{end}}

===BMI London Awards===
[[Broadcast Music, Inc.]] awards held in [[London]] to honor songwriters for their accomplishments in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Donovan, Danielle Brisebois, Natasha Bedingfield and More Honored at 2009 BMI London Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/donovan_natasha_bedingfield_and_more_honored_at_2009_bmi_london_awards |website=BMI |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI London Awards: Press Release and Winners List |url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/553018 |website=BMI |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2009 || rowspan="1"|"[[The Anthem (Pitbull song)|The Anthem]]"|| Pop Award || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2011 || rowspan="1"| "[[Do You Remember (Jay Sean song)|Do You Remember]]" || Pop Award || {{won}}
|}

===BMI Pop Awards===
Broadcast Music, Inc. awards honor songwriters for their accomplishments in [[pop music]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 BMI Pop Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2005_bmi_pop_awards |website=BMI |date=May 17, 2005 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Pop Awards Honor Crosby, Stills & Nash As Icons At 54th Annual Ceremony |url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/534542#:~:text=LOS%20ANGELES%2C%20May%2016%2C%202006,She%20Will%20Be%20Loved"%20as |website=BMI |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2011 BMI Pop Music Award List |url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/551489 |website=BMI |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=P!nk Receives President's Award at 63rd Annual BMI Pop Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2015_bmi_pop_awards#:~:text=Taylor%20Swift%2C%20Tim%20Bergling%20a.k.a.,"%20"Wake%20Me%20Up%2C" |website=BMI | date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| "[[Damn! (song)|Damn!]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| "[[Get Low (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz song)|Get Low]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| "[[Freek-a-Leek]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| Himself || Songwriter of the Year || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2006 || rowspan="1"| Himself || Songwriter of the Year || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2006 || rowspan="1"| "[[Goodies (song)|Goodies]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2006 || rowspan="1"| "[[Lovers and Friends (song)|Lovers and Friends]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2006 || rowspan="1"| "[[Salt Shaker (song)|Salt Shaker]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2011 || rowspan="1"| "[[Do You Remember (Jay Sean song)|Do You Remember]]" || Most Performed Songs|| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2015 || rowspan="1"| "[[Turn Down for What]]"|| Most Performed Songs|| {{won}}
|-
|}

===BMI Urban R&B/Hip-Hop Awards===
Broadcast Music Inc. awards honor songwriters and publishers for their accomplishments in [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[hip-hop]]. The award was previously named BMI Urban Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Celebrates Urban Music at 2003 Awards Ceremony |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20030806_bmi_celebrates_urban_music_at_2003_awards_ceremony#:~:text=Isaac%20Hayes%20Honored%20as%20BMI%20ICON&text=Top%20honors%20went%20to%20Murder,Publisher%20of%20the%20Year%20trophy. |website=BMI | date=August 5, 2003 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Celebrates Urban Music at 2004 Awards with Top Writers, Producers, Publishers |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20040827_bmi_celebrates_urban_music_at_2004_awards_with_top_writers_pr#:~:text=Al%20Green%20Honored%20as%20BMI%20ICON&text=Kelly%20won%20two%20of%20the,Urban%20Publisher%20of%20the%20Year. |website=BMI | date=August 26, 2004 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2005 BMI Urban Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2005_bmi_urban_awards |website=BMI |date=August 26, 2005 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2006 BMI Urban Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2006_bmi_urban_awards |website=BMI |date=August 30, 2006 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2007 BMI Urban Awards: BMI Award Winning Songs |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2007_bmi_urban_awards_bmi_award_winning_songs |website=BMI |date=September 8, 2007 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Honors The Jacksons, T-Pain & Many More at Urban Awards in Los Angeles |url=https://www.bmi.com/press/entry/537207 |website=BMI |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Patti LaBelle Named BMI Icon at the 2017 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2017-rb-hip-hop-awards |website=BMI |date=September 2017 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/r-and-b-hip-hop-2020/ |website=BMI |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Announces the Honorees of the 2021 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2021-bmi-rb-hip-hop-awards |website=BMI |date=September 20, 2021 |access-date=22 May 2023}}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2003 || rowspan="1"| "[[Move Bitch]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2004 || rowspan="1"| "[[Damn! (song)|Damn!]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2004 || rowspan="1"| "[[Get Low (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz song)|Get Low]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2004 || rowspan="1"| "[[Goodies (song)|Goodies]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2005 || rowspan="2"| Himself || Songwriter of the Year || {{won}}
|-
|Top Urban Producers || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2005 || rowspan="2"| "[[Freek-a-Leek]]" || Ringtone of the Year || {{won}}
|-
|Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2005 || rowspan="1"| "[[Salt Shaker (song)|Salt Shaker]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2005 || rowspan="2"| "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" || Song of The Year || {{won}}
|-
|Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2006 || rowspan="1"| "[[Lovers and Friends (song)|Lovers and Friends]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2007 || rowspan="1"| "[[Snap Yo Fingers]]"|| Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2007 || rowspan="1"| "[[U and Dat]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2008 || rowspan="1"| "[[Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2008 || rowspan="1"| "[[Cyclone (song)|Cyclone]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2008 || rowspan="1"| "[[This Is Why I'm Hot]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2017 || rowspan="1"| "[[For Free]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2020 || rowspan="1"| "[[My Type (Saweetie song)|My Type]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2021 || rowspan="1"| "[[Best on Earth]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2021 || rowspan="1"| "[[Tap In]]" || Most Performed Songs || {{won}}
|}

=== Grammy Awards ===
A [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] (stylized as GRAMMY) is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize achievement in the music industry.

{| style="width:70%;" class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="width:33px;"| Year
! style="width:190px;"| Recipient
! style="width:280px;"| Category
! style="width:70px;"| Result
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005]]
| rowspan="3"|"[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" <small>(with [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] and [[Ludacris]])</small>
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="1"|''[[Confessions (Usher album)|Confessions]]'' <small>(with Usher)</small>
| [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[57th Annual Grammy Awards|2015]]
| "[[Turn Down for What]]" <small>(with [[DJ Snake]])</small>
| [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]]
| {{nom}}
|}

=== MTV Video Music Awards ===
An [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] (abbreviated as a VMA) is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.

{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]] || rowspan="1"| "[[Get Low (Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz song)|Get Low]]" <small> (with the East Side Boyz and [[Ying Yang Twins]]) </small> || [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]]|| {{nom}}

|-
|rowspan="4"| [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards|2004]] || rowspan="4"| "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]" <small> (with [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] and [[Ludacris]]) </small> || [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]|| {{nom}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video|Best Male Video]] || {{won}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|Best Dance Video]] || {{won}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]] || {{nom}}

|-
|rowspan="4"| [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|2014]] || rowspan="4"| "[[Turn Down for What]]"<small> (with [[DJ Snake]]) </small> || [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video|MTV Clubland Award]] || {{nom}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] || {{won}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] || {{nom}}
|-
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]] || {{nom}}
|}

===MTV Video Music Awards Japan===

{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="1"| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards Japan|2005]] || rowspan="1"| "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]"<small> (with [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] and [[Ludacris]]) </small> || Video of the Year || {{nom}}
|}

===MTV Europe Music Awards===

{{awards table}}
|-
| [[2004 MTV Europe Music Awards|2004]] || "[[Yeah! (Usher song)|Yeah!]]"<small> (with [[Usher (musician)|Usher]] and [[Ludacris]]) </small> || [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song|Best Song]] || {{nom}}
|}

== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
*''[[Soul Plane]]'' (2004)
*''[[Boss'n Up]]'' (2005)
*''[[Date Movie]]'' (2006)
*''[[Scary Movie 4]]'' (2006)

=== Television ===
*''[[Volcano High]]'' (2003)
*''[[The Sharon Osbourne Show]]'' (2003)
*''[[Mad TV]]'' (2003, 2005)
*''[[All of Us]]'' (2004)
*''[[Like Family]]'' (2004)
*''[[Chappelle's Show]]'' (2004)
*''How I'm Living'' (2004)
*''[[The Andy Milonakis Show]]'' (2005)
*''[[MTV Cribs]]'' (2005)
*''[[Wild 'n Out]]'' (2006)
*''[[Criss Angel Mindfreak]]'' (2006)
*''[[Pimp My Ride UK]]'' (2006)
*''[[Crank Yankers]]'' (2007)
*''[[Class of 3000]]'' (2007)
*''[[Robotomy]]'' (2010)
*''[[Freaknik: The Musical]]'' (2010)
*''[[Ridiculousness (TV series)|Ridiculousness]]'' (2012)
*''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]'' (2011, 2013)
*''[[The Jenny McCarthy Show (2013 talk show)|The Jenny McCarthy Show]]'' (2013)
*''[[Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen]]'' (2013)
*''[[Master of the Mix]]'' (2013)
*''[[The Eric Andre Show]]'' (2014)
*''[[About a Boy (TV series)|About a Boy]]'' (2014)
*''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (2014)
*''[[Comedy Bang! Bang! (TV series)|Comedy Bang! Bang!]]'' (2015)
*''[[Hell's Kitchen (American TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]'' (2016)
*''Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'' (2016)
*''[[Talking Dead]]'' (2017)
*''[[Tiny House Nation]]'' (2017)
*''[[The Bachelorette (American TV series)|The Bachelorette]]'' (2018)
*''[[Bar Rescue]]'' (2018)
*''Hollywood Puppet Show'' (2018)
*''[[The Rap Game]]'' (2019)
*''Lil Jon Wants to Do What?'' (2022)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.imdb.com/title/tt19760254/|title= Lil Jon Wants to Do What?|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=September 24, 2023}}</ref>

=== Video games ===
*''[[Tony Hawk's American Wasteland]]'' (2005)
*''[[Def Jam: Icon]]'' (2007)

== See also ==
* [[List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[Honorific nicknames in popular music]]
* [[List of best-selling singles]]
* [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones|List of ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://liljon.com/ Official website]
*{{allMusic}}

{{Lil Jon|state=expanded}}
{{Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Lil Jon
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Band/Duo/Group}}
{{BET Award for Viewer's Choice}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}
}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles 2000–2019}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Douglass High School (Atlanta) alumni]]