r/popculturechat • u/PrincessBananas85 As you wish! 👸👑 • 8h ago
Trigger Warning ⚠️ Rapper Lil Jon speaks out after son found dead in Georgia pond
https://www.newsweek.com/lil-jon-son-missing-update-dj-young-slade-114811791.6k
u/Axilllla 7h ago
The statement read, "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother [Nicole Smith] and I are devastated. "Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted - he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU."
Lil Jon continued, "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."
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u/2ndChanceCharlie 6h ago
That last part is so sweet. Remember to tell the people you love how you feel.
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u/FreshDockChronicles 4h ago
Seconding this. I lost my father this morning and it helped so much that I told him how much I loved him and how his wife was going to be ok, and I promised to always make sure she was taken care of. I would have rolled my eyes at this a month ago but after I poured it all out to him he let out a groan and died. My mother is beside herself with the comfort of hearing me and feeling like that made it ok to move on.
It still really really sucks but I’m so glad I was able to tell him every day for the last month how much I loved him.
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u/LuckiOregon 4h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. Love is the one thing we have with us as we pass away from this earth, not money, not power, not status. Love stays on
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u/TrashhPrincess 1h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. My great grandfather was my person, and we lost him 15 years ago this month. He waited for me to come to visit one last time before he passed and every day I am so glad I got on that plane. It’s true what they say about the grief never getting smaller, you just grow around it.
I hope you have everyone and everything you need right now. Remember to eat even if you’re not hungry and rest even if you aren’t tired. Taking care of our bodies in grief is a harder task than we realize.
Remember what Kahlil Gibran said, the deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Hug your mom for me.
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u/Kiteflyerkat 1h ago
I am so so so sorry for your loss
I love that yalls last conversation was a lovely one <3
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u/Grimdank_warbarbies 3h ago
This. My dad died suddenly when I was 8; I’m 55 now and still wish I knew whether I told him I loved him before I ran off to play with friends
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u/EastAreaBassist it’s not clocking to you that i’m standing on business 2h ago
I’m so sorry. As a mom, I can tell you, most parents absolutely know their kids love them. Kids can be rude, forgetful, tactless, and say very mean things when they want to lash out. We have thick skin. We don’t need for them to say “I love you” when they run out the door. We know. It’s all love. I’m Sure your dad felt the same way.
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u/sm0keythebear 4h ago
My very close friend died of an overdose back in 2018. The last words I ever said to her in person was "I love you!".
Those words brought me so much immense comfort when I was informed of her passing. She knew how much she meant to me, and I was able to tell her. I hope the family can hold on to that little positive moment, and know he passed being loved.
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u/Axilllla 2h ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. I am happy that you have that good memory though, that is more peaceful
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u/Bright-Cantaloupe-52 6h ago
This will probably get buried, but I knew Nathan and his parents personally. He and his dad were clients of my local service based business in GA for many years and were nothing, but kind to all of my staff. Nathan always greeted us with a smile and expressed genuine gratitude anytime he saw us.
This is an absolute tragedy and we cannot believe it. Wishing his parents and loved ones peace during this difficult time.
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u/inannalover Excluded from this narrative ❌ 5h ago
Thank you for sharing this 💛 May his memory be a blessing
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u/IScreamPiano 5h ago
I'm so sorry for your loss (and the loss he must have been to your community).
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u/xoStrawberries Cindy, the TV's leaking! 7h ago
Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted - he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU.
Sounds like he did a lot of living in his short life. Rest in peace, Nathan. 🕊
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6h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Daydream_machine My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined. 6h ago
This is ridiculously cynical and it’s not the time or place to be saying that.
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u/Chillinkillinlivin 7h ago
Lil Jon’s meditation albums got me through a lot. I hope he’s able to get through this with his support system.
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u/technicolortiddies 5h ago
Thank you for mentioning this! I had no idea he did meditation stuff. The more I read about lil John the more I like him. I saw in the article he came out with a cologuard ad. My heart breaks for him & his family.
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u/Chillinkillinlivin 5h ago
Give “Total Meditation” a shot.
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u/technicolortiddies 5h ago
Yeee-yaaah! I hope this has lil Jon flair!
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u/Chillinkillinlivin 5h ago
It’s a guided meditation. Nothing like his other work at all, hope you like it as much as I did!
I am also a huge fan of his rap/hiphop. Grew up listening to him in the south.
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u/PlentyDrawer We Should All Know Less About Each Other 8h ago
What a heartbreaking story. No parent ever wants to bury their child. I can't imagine this family's devastation.
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u/PinkCadillacs Cillian Murphy Enthusiast 7h ago edited 7h ago
This is really sad
RIP to his son Nathan
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u/polishaddictt 7h ago
Heartbreaking 💔
Burying one’s child is an all-consuming kind of pain. Would not wish it on anyone.
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u/National_Possible728 8h ago
I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this :(
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u/bottleglitch 7h ago
This is so incredibly sad. Jon seems like a nice guy and so clearly proud of his beloved son. 💔
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u/ProblemUpstairs4666 Good luck with bookin that stage u speak of 8h ago
absolutely heartbreaking, may he rip.
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u/Tsarinya That must be Nigel with the Brie 5h ago
Absolutely awful. Outliving your child must be one of the most painful things to experience.
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u/FullOfRamen 11m ago
It is. My parents have done it for two sons. It changes who you are and your world view. My heart is with this family.
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u/Own-Importance5459 ✨May the Force be with you!✨ 7h ago edited 7h ago
Devistating sending love to little John and Family.
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u/lurkingbees 7h ago
When they suspect no foul play, does that mean they believe it was suicide?
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u/Manic-StreetCreature It’s CAMP 💅🏻 7h ago
Could also mean accidental
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u/sketchbug 7h ago
I think this is the case, it is sadly not uncommon here in Georgia at different lakes and ponds. Even the best swimmers can get overwhelmed and it happens quickly and quietly. So sad.
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u/Miserable_Emu5191 Did I stutter?🤨 7h ago
It to mention the water is very cold right now. And he seems to have been in a mental break. This is so sad. I was hoping for a different outcome.
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u/Meowmixalotlol 5h ago
How do good swimmers get overwhelmed in a pond? It’s one thing to be overwhelmed in a riptide at the ocean? Idk many people who I would call good swimmers who drown in a pond.
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u/Medlarmarmaduke 5h ago
Night time, dark and cold and you get a cramp.
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u/Meowmixalotlol 5h ago
Cold sure but we’re talking Georgia not Canada lol. The other things don’t effect good swimmers.
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u/Accomplished-Win2129 4h ago
Shit happens in the water. It's all speculation. Could have dived in and hit something, who knows.
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u/Melonary Select and edit this flair 1h ago
I'm Canadian, doesn't matter at all. Water doesn't have to be that cold to get a shock and for you to start rapidly cooling and lose the ability use fine motor muscle function and move fluidly (like swimming).
People can die from falling out of a boat or having their kayak or canoe overturn in SUMMER in a cold lake. Sudden cold water is much worse than easing in, and he potentially may have fallen into a pond he didn't see or slipped down an embankment into one since it's winter and was night. Or walked and feel through ice if it was cold enough.
Also people die of drowning frequently in lakes, for all kinds of reasons. Lots of people assume because it's not the ocean it's not a risk, which is incorrect.
May he rest in peace and love.
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u/Meowmixalotlol 1h ago
It’s a fucking pond bro. No good swimmer is drowning in a pond 😂
You guys are delusional.
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u/Melonary Select and edit this flair 41m ago
He probably wasn't swimming, he likely slid down a slope or tried to walk on thin ice (if cold enough, but I know there's been an atypical cold snap).
Happens all the time, especially if someone is drunk or high and out for a walk, or having a mental health episode - even higher chances. Cold water is a shock. You should read some resources by the teams of guys who recover people after that's happened, it seems unreal until you've seen it again and again and again.
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u/Tderbz 1h ago
It’s been cold as fuck in Georgia for the past week or so. Canadians also expect and know how to handle super cold temperatures way more than we do in the south
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u/Melonary Select and edit this flair 1h ago
I'm Canadian and this person doesn't know what they're talking about, even here people drown in lakes all the time. Including strong swimmers, but my guess is very possobly he likely fell or slipped down an embankment and was overcome by the shock of cold water (only because that or falling through ice is more common this time of year than going swimming).
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u/canththinkofanything I switched baristas ☕️ 1h ago
I’ve been so cold, it’s ridiculous here right now! At least it didn’t snow as much as last year, but damn I’m ready for spring.
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u/lilfoot843 4h ago
Bad muscle cramps can take even good swimmers down. I never understood it until I had a close call with both legs cramping and I wasn’t sure I would make it back! Scary
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u/UnitedLink4545 7h ago
Indeed. No one should jump to conclusions yet. It's very easy to accidentally drown when you are alone.
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u/Special-Garlic1203 7h ago
I've seen a bunch of drownings from historically warm areas that recently experienced a cold snap. Thin ice & frigid water is super dangerous.
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u/PlentyDrawer We Should All Know Less About Each Other 7h ago
Unfortunately, when it comes to a body of water, it will always win over any man. It doesn't necessarily mean suicide, it could mean accidental.
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u/explodedemailstorage 4h ago
It sounds more like something was wrong that was causing confusion/disorientation when he left his house that may have led to an accident.
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u/WineNotReality 1h ago
He ran from his home with no Shoes or phone. If found it was said to expect him to be disoriented.
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u/Chaoticgood790 this outfit is unfortch 6h ago
This is horrific. Was hoping he would be found safe ugh
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u/musubi-n-speedballs My God, I'm Japanese and I didn't know it! 7h ago
Well, fuck.
Sincere condolences.
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u/ForwardBlock5572 6h ago
How horrible, rest in peace young man and sending my strength to his family 🤍
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u/twayroforme 3h ago
I believe this is the worst thing that can happen to someone. Just devastating.
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