Jonathan Smith (born January 27, 1971), better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and international DJ who was a member of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon formed the group in 1997, and the group released several albums between then and 2004. He then went solo and released a new album in 2010 called Crunk Rock. Lil' Jon was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. After working as a DJ for Atlanta night clubs, he started working for So So Def Recordings between 1993 and 2000. The group signed to the Atlanta-based Mirror Image Records and were distributed by Ichiban Records. In 1997, Lil' Jon & the East Side Boyz debuted with Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album. It included singles "Who U Wit?" and "Shawty Freak a Lil' Sumthin'", the latter of which came out in 1998. Both singles charted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at #70 and #62 respectively. In 2000 Jon took part in starting up his own label BME Recordings and signed a distribution agreement with Norcross, Georgia based Southern Music Distribution. There he released his break through album titled We Still
Lil Jon dropped some inside scoop on TMZ about the "Celebrity Apprentice" fight between Meatloaf and Gary Busey -- and he also told us the BIG SECRET ... that we already knew. Check out TMZ on TV… READ MORE >
Get your lighters out, because Lil Jon sang a touching farewell tune for Amanda Bynes' dog Little Angel ... who sadly passed away yesterday. Here's to you, dawg ... Check out TMZ on TV -- click… READ MORE >
Yeeaaahhhhh!!!!! Lil Jon is back -- hosting "TMZ on TV" for his 3rd time!!! Dude's already spilled his guts about Gary Busey ... weighed in on Charlie Sheen ... and just told a story about the… READ MORE >
Gary Busey has finally bottomed out -- not only did he hit the stripper pole during a "Celebrity Apprentice" cast party in Vegas Sunday night ... he nearly lost his pants in the process. It all… READ MORE >
Kevin Federline upped his street cred and partied with Lil Jon at Blush at the Wynn in Vegas last night.Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!Thanks to our pals at SpyOnVegas.com for the shot. READ MORE >
Is Lil Jon gonna be on the next season of "Celebrity Apprentice" ... YEEEAHHHH!!! TMZ has identified some of the contestants Donald Trump has selected for the upcoming season of his hit reality… READ MORE >
He's baaaaaaaaack!!! Lil Jon -- and his chalice -- are making their triumphant return to the TMZ newsroom to host today's TMZ on TV! This time, Jon takes on everything from Hebrew ... to karate… READ MORE >
There is something safe and comforting about seeing Paris Hilton party it up in Las Vegas like the free and single woman that she is.To further hearken back to her heyday, Paris was joined at… READ MORE >
