Search Intensifies for DJ Young Slade, Son of Rapper Lil Jon, in Metro Atlanta

A missing person flyer issued by the Milton Police Department details the disappearance of 27-year-old Nathan Smith in Milton, Georgia, on Tuesday. Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade and the son of rapper Lil Jon, was last seen leaving his home on foot and may be disoriented. (Courtesy of Milton Police Department)

The music world is rallying around Lil Jon as police in Georgia intensify the search for his adult son, Nathan Smith.

Smith, a 27-year-old DJ and producer who performs under the name DJ Young Slade, was reported missing on Tuesday morning in Milton, Georgia. According to the Milton Police Department, Smith was last seen around 6 a.m. near the intersection of Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road, an area about 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta.

The circumstances of the disappearance are concerning. Authorities state that Smith "ran out of his house" on foot and did not take his phone with him. The police advisory noted he "may be disoriented and in need of assistance," leading friends and family to fear for his safety.

In a statement released to the press on Wednesday, a representative for Lil Jon addressed the situation briefly but poignantly.

"The family is asking for privacy at this time," the statement read. "We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you."

Search crews were spotted scouring the neighborhood and the nearby Mayfield Lake on Tuesday afternoon, though no significant leads have been publicly reported.

Smith is the only child of Lil Jon (born Jonathan Smith) and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith. He has spent much of his life following in his father’s footsteps, carving out his own lane in the industry as a DJ. The two have frequently appeared together at red carpet events and in the booth, sharing a close bond that the elder Smith has often spoken about with pride.

"It’s literally in your kid’s genes to do what you do," Lil Jon said in a 2023 interview. "He was destined to be in the music business."

Smith is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Police have urged anyone who spots him or has information regarding his whereabouts to contact the Milton Police Department at 678-297-6300.

Watch: New ‘Michael’ Footage Dives Deep Into the Making of the King of Pop

The uncanny valley may have officially been conquered.

On Monday, Lionsgate released the extended trailer for Antoine Fuqua’s long-awaited biopic “Michael,” and if the footage is to be believed, Jaafar Jackson isn’t just playing his uncle — he is channeling him from the molecular level up.

Set for a global theatrical release on April 24, “Michael” promises to be the definitive cinematic account of the King of Pop. But as the new preview reveals, this isn’t just a “greatest hits” reel. It is a deep dive into the friction that forged the diamond.

For the uninitiated, casting a family member can often feel like a gimmick. But Jaafar Jackson — the son of Jermaine — silences that skepticism in seconds. The new footage, which expands significantly on last year’s teaser, showcases the 29-year-old inhabiting Michael’s physicality with terrifying precision. From the feather-light spoken voice to the explosive kinetics of the “Bad” era, the resemblance is less “acting” and more “resurrection.”

The trailer gives us our first real look at the film's central conflict, specifically the dynamic between Michael and the patriarch, Joe Jackson. In a chilling sequence, Colman Domingo (playing Joe) delivers a line that sets the temperature for the entire film. When a young adult Michael asserts that he needs “time to think” about his career direction, Joe’s retort is ice cold: “I told you what to think.” It’s a moment that suggests Fuqua isn’t shying away from the heavy toll of the Jackson family dynasty.

Fuqua has assembled a talented cast. Beyond Jaafar and Domingo, the film features Nia Long as the steadfast Katherine Jackson and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca. But the real casting coup might be Larenz Tate. The actor portrays Motown founder Berry Gordy, a role that requires a specific kind of gravitas that Tate has commanded since the 90s. We also get glimpses of Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Laura Harrier stepping into the role of Suzanne de Passe.

The synopsis promises a journey “beyond the music,” tracking Michael from the Gary, Indiana, grind to the global stratosphere. The trailer teases the creation of “Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough” and the groundbreaking visuals of “Thriller,” offering a “fly on the wall” perspective of the studio sessions that changed pop history.

While the film appears to focus heavily on the ascent and the peak of his powers, it remains to be seen how deeply it will wade into the turbulent waters of his later years. However, with the Estate involved, the focus is clearly on the artistry and the human cost of becoming the most famous person on Earth.

Come April 24, the world will see if the movie can hold the weight of the legacy. But based on this three-minute preview, one thing is certain: The spirit of Michael Jackson is back in the building.

Grammys 2026: Clipse Win First Award, Lamar Dominates, Bad Bunny Breaks Barriers

Kendrick Lamar accepts the award for best rap album for “GNX” during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a coronation, a correction, and — thanks to a confused Cher — a reminder that the establishment still stumbles even when it tries to get it right. On a night where history was rewritten, Kendrick Lamar didn’t just take home hardware; he took the throne.

Lamar is now officially the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history. With a five-win sweep that included best rap album for “GNX” and best rap song for the Lefty Gunplay-assisted “TV Off,” the Compton visionary brought his career total to 27, surpassing the long-standing record of 25 held by Jay-Z.

His victory lap was anchored by the night’s heavy hitter, record of the year, for “Luther.” The track, a soulful collaboration with SZA built around a sample of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine,” provided the evening’s emotional center — and its most meme-able error. Presenting the award, icon Cher seemed to glitch, announcing the winner simply as “Luther Vandross,” momentarily confusing the room into thinking the late crooner had won from the afterlife. Lamar took the slip-up in stride, keeping his acceptance speech brief and reverent: “Luther forever.”

But beyond Lamar’s statistical dominance, the night belonged to the global expansion of the sound. In a moment that finally shattered the industry’s thickest glass ceiling, Bad Bunny took home album of the year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” becoming the first artist to win the top prize with a Spanish-language album.

Visibly moved, the Puerto Rican superstar used his time at the podium to deliver a pointed message to the diaspora. Before thanking God, he started his speech with a sharp directive: “ICE out.” Dedicating the trophy to “anyone worldwide who has ever needed to leave their home or somewhere they love in order to achieve their dreams,” he reminded the room that “we are humans, we are not aliens.”

While the telecast focused on the current kings, the Academy also finally bowed to the ancestors. In a special presentation, the lifetime achievement award was bestowed upon Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti during Grammy Week’s Special Merit Awards. The Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, who spoke truth to power until his death in 1997, became the first African artist to receive the honor. His son, Femi Kuti, accepted the award, offering a quote that bridged the gap between the man and the myth: “The older I get, I see that he wasn’t the conventional father, he was everybody’s father.”

Back on the main stage, the night delivered a long-overdue check to the street rap architects. After decades of grinding and defining the “luxury realism” of the genre, Clipse finally claimed their first-ever Grammy. Pusha T and No Malice won best rap performance for “Chains & Whips,” a standout from their reunion album “Let God Sort Em Out.”

The track, which features Lamar and production from Pharrell Williams, was a validation of a legacy that has influenced everyone from Tyler, the Creator to the very man who broke the record that night.

R&B also saw a changing of the guard, as Leon Thomas — the songwriter-turned-star — capped off a breakout year by winning best R&B album for “Mutt.” In true chaotic creative fashion, Thomas arrived just in time to collect the trophy, proving that the genre’s future is in safe hands.

Ultimately, the 2026 Grammys will be remembered as the night the “outsiders” became the standard bearers. From Compton to Puerto Rico to Lagos to Virginia Beach, the culture wasn’t just in the building— it was running the show.

The Culture Scoreboard: 2026 Grammy Highlights

• Album of the Year “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny
• Record of the Year “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA
• Best Rap Album “GNX,” Kendrick Lamar
• Best Rap Performance “Chains & Whips,” Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams
• Best Melodic Rap Performance “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA
• Best Rap Song “TV Off,” Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay
• Best R&B Album “Mutt,” Leon Thomas
• Best R&B Performance “Folded,” Kehlani
• Lifetime Achievement Award Fela Kuti
• Dr. Dre Global Impact Award Pharrell Williams

View Full Winners List →