Nathan Smith, 27—professionally known as DJ Young Slade—was a music producer, artist, engineer, and NYU graduate.
Nathan was the kindest human being you could ever meet,” Lil Jon said in a statement. “He was incredibly caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warm-hearted. He loved his family and his friends deeply.”
Police said Nathan Smith, 27, left his home on foot and had been missing since, according to a missing-person poster shared on social media. Authorities noted that he did not have a phone with him and may have been disoriented, prompting concern for his safety among family and friends.
Milton police launched an immediate search for Smith. When initial efforts were unsuccessful, officers and partner agencies expanded the search to a pond near his residence. Shortly before noon on Friday, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from the pond
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office,” police said. The medical examiner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Investigators said there was no indication of foul play at this time, though the case remains an open and active investigation. No additional details will be released until the cause and manner of death are determined by the medical examiner.
Milton is a suburban community located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Atlanta.
Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, is an Atlanta-based rapper and producer and a key figure in the crunk subgenre of hip-hop. He is best known for hits such as Get Low with the East Side Boyz and Turn Down for What with DJ Snake.
He is also the father of a daughter, Nahara, born in 2024.
Associated Press contributed reporting.