Jonathan Smith[1] (born
January 27,
1971)
[2], better known by his
stage name Lil Jon, is an American
producer, promoter, and
rapper. He is best known as a pioneer of the sub-
genre of hip hop known as "
crunk".
Lil Jon was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Douglass High School in 1989.[3] He worked for So So Def between 1993 and 2000.[2]
Lil Jon is a big fan of the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL[4] and writes a blog on NHL.com.[5] He has also stated on the blog that his son plays hockey. Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen also has a picture of Lil Jon on the back of his helmet.[6] He also has his own energy drink, called CRUNK!!![7], and has his own line of Oakley Sunglasses.[8]
Lil Jon released his new album called Crunk Juice features contributions from protégé Lil' Scrappy and Bo Hagon, Grammy Award-winning record producer Rick Rubin, R. Kelly, Ice Cube, Timbaland, Usher, Three 6 Mafia, Gangsta Boo, and Ludacris, and one of Lil Jon's punk heroes, Bad Brains. The double-CD Crunk Juice includes remixes of Daddy Yankee's Reggaeton hit "Gasolina", Terror Squad's "Lean Back", and others. The biggest hit from this album was the Usher/Ludacris collaboration "Lovers & Friends", which reached _3 on the Hot 100. Lil Jon worked with Ko?n for a track on their album released later in 2005.[9]
