Lil Jon Pays Tribute to His Late Son: “Life will never be the same”

Lil Jon paid tribute to his late son, Nathan Smith, days after the 27-year old’s death. The crunk legend, born Jonathan Smith, confirmed his son's death back on Feb. 6 in a statement to PEOPLE. It was the same day the Milton, Ga., police said they recovered a body they believed to be Nathan's from a pond. Posting on Instagram, Jon honored the memory of his son, also known as DJ Young Slade. He shared photos of Nathan from throughout his life. 

"On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family," Lil Jon wrote in the caption, also asking that Allah provide the family with mercy and strength."I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you," he wrote. "Allah, give me strength."

Jon then thanked those who "reached out with condolences, love, and prayers." He concluded, "I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name."

The Milton Police Department (MPD) issued a missing person report for Nathan Smith back on Feb. 3 after he reportedly ran out of his house without his phone. Three days later, the "Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the pond," the MPD said in a statement. They also indicated that there is "no indication of foul play," but it remains an "open and active investigation.” The Fulton County Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

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

"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.”

You can see Lil Jon’s tribute to his son below.