Lil Jon Recalls Final Call With Son

The rapper shared the last phone conversation he had with his son, Nathan Smith, who died in a Georgia pond after psilocybin use.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a calm navy pond seen from above, bordered by bare cream trees under a grey overcast sky. — Lil Jon said he called his son Nathan Smith to apologize before the 27-year-old died in a Georgia pond after psilocybin use, a Fulton County medical examiner ruled. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Lil Jon shared the final phone conversation he had with his son, Nathan Smith, on CNN's All There Is podcast. Smith, a 27-year-old musician and producer known as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing Feb. 3 and was later found dead in a pond near his home in Milton, Georgia.

Why it matters

The Fulton County medical examiner ruled the death accidental and listed the cause as drowning in the setting of psilocybin use. The account highlights the danger psilocybin use can pose when combined with other risks such as water exposure.

The Fulton County medical examiner ruled the death accidental, citing drowning in the setting of psilocybin use. The stub does not specify the blood or toxicology levels, and the investigative details beyond the ruling remain unreported.

The players

Lil Jon

Lil Jon is a Grammy-nominated rapper and producer best known for his work with crunk music and collaborations with artists such as Usher and Ludacris.

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith was a 27-year-old musician and producer who performed as DJ Young Slade.

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper is a veteran CNN anchor and correspondent who hosts the network's All There Is podcast.

The details

Lil Jon called his son to apologize after reflecting on an earlier conversation, and he later spoke about that final call on CNN's All There Is podcast with Anderson Cooper. Divers recovered Smith's body from a pond near his home in Milton, Georgia, three days after he was reported missing.

Feb. 3: Nathan Smith is reported missing.
Three days after Feb. 3: Divers recover Smith's body from a pond near his home in Milton, Georgia.
Nov. 6, 2026: Lil Jon discusses the final call on CNN's All There Is podcast.

Substance Risk Landscape

As psilocybin use draws growing national attention, individual cases like this one illustrate the physical hazards that can accompany psychedelic experiences, even when they are not directly linked to the substance's psychological effects. The case joins a widening public discussion over how the drug is used and the safety risks it carries.

Psilocybin can produce serious physical risks, including drowning in the setting of impaired judgment, so users should avoid entering water while under its effects. Anyone concerned about substance use can seek guidance from a health professional before using psychedelics.

The takeaway

Individual tragedies tied to psilocybin highlight that its effects can be dangerous even outside the psychological realm. Readers should understand that psychedelic use carries real physical risks.