You know him as the legendary “King of Crunk” who brought the world anthems like “Get Low” and “Turn Down For What.” But long before he was tearing up the charts and winning Grammys, he was just a regular kid from the suburbs of Atlanta.
Curious to know Lil Jon net worth and how has he landed this crazy rich life? Read on.
| Birth Name | Jonathan Mortimer Smith |
| Known as | Lil Jon (came from his height as he’s only 5’7″) |
| Birthdate | January 17, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia |
| Education | Frederick Douglass High School |
| Wife | Nicole Smith (m. 2004) |
| Children | Nathan Smith, a.k.a., DJ Young Slade (b. 1998) |
| Net Worth | $30 million approximately |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube |
| Listen to | Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music |
| Website | LIL JON |
Lil John Childhood: A Humble Beginning
Jonathan Mortimer Smith was born on January 17, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia. His middle-class family lived in a modest home in southwest Atlanta, far from the glitz and glamor he’d later achieve as Lil Jon. His father worked as an aerospace engineer, while his mother served in the military.
As a child, Jon discovered his passion for music, teaching himself to DJ and throwing house parties in his parents’ basement. He attended the local high school, where he was a member of the marching band (who knew?!).
Early Career: Hard Work Pays Off
After graduating, Lil Jon was hired by producer Jermaine Dupri to work at his So So Def studio. There he honed his skills behind the mixing boards for 7 years before finally forming his own group, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, in 1996.
Their debut album Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album dropped in 1997 and immediately disrupted the hip hop scene with its raw, energetic “crunk” sound. Hits like “Who U Wit?” established Jon as a master of the new genre.
Over the next few years, Lil Jon and his East Side Boyz dropped back-to-back platinum albums, dominating radio waves with crunk anthems like “I Like Dem Girlz” and “Bia’ Bia’.”
Soaring Career: Crunk King is Cashing In
Lil Jon hit new levels of success in the 2000s with his ingenious producer collaborations. Teaming up with Usher on “Yeah!” in 2004, he crafted an international smash hit and earned his first Grammy.
But even as his music career exploded, Jon had his eyes on new business ventures. He launched his own wine label, an energy drink line, and even a brand of Oakley sunglasses.
By the 2010s, Lil Jon had cemented his status as a bonafide mogul. His TV appearances on Celebrity Apprentice and The Bachelorette boosted his fame and net worth. His latest hit “Turn Down For What” with DJ Snake shattered records with over 1 billion YouTube views.
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Lil Jon Net Worth: Crunk King’s Crazy Rich Life
As one of hip hop’s most successful moguls, Lil Jon has racked up an impressive net worth estimated at $30 million. So where did all those riches come from?
First and foremost, Jon has earned millions over his decades-long music career. At the peak of his fame in the mid-2000s, he was reportedly making $600,000 per show. Not to mention royalties from all those chart-topping hits and platinum albums.
He also cashed in via his deals with popular brands like Oakley, Rockstar Energy, and more. He launched his own wine label and energy drink line as well. His TV appearances, acting roles, and endorsements added to the fortune too.
On top of that, the producer has continued DJing and touring consistently over the past two decades. He still commands huge paydays at festivals, nightclubs, and concerts worldwide.
Considering his varied income streams, $30 million is a conservative estimate. Some have speculated Lil Jon’s net worth could be closer to $50 million!
No matter the exact number, the King of Crunk clearly knows how to bring in big bucks. But he also splurges on luxuries like his $1.2 million mansion and flashy watch and jewelry.
In fact, during a trip to Vietnam, Jon was actually detained at the airport for wearing $400,000 worth of jewelry!
Lil Jon worked hard to build his empire – and now he’s living like hip hop royalty off the fruits of that labor. But even as he turns up, Jon always remembers his humble roots.
Lil Jon Family and Personal Life
Away from the glitz and glam, Lil Jon enjoys a quieter family life. He married Nicole Smith in 2004, and the couple have a son together named Nathan (stage name DJ Young Slade).
Lil Jon loves watching Nathan develop his own talents as a DJ. Starting at just 11 years old, Nathan has been honing his skills behind the turntables and making his proud dad even more pumped up.
The hip hop mogul also makes family time a priority with his parents, siblings, and other relatives in the Atlanta area.
When he’s not performing or giving back, Lil Jon loves cheering on his favorite sports teams. He loyally reps all of the Atlanta professional franchises, especially the Falcons and Hawks.
As a Tennessee native, Jon also avidly follows University of Tennessee football and basketball. He even collaborated with the UT athletic department to make “Third Down for What” the Vols’ official pump up song.
The rap mogul is also a huge hockey nut, often attending Las Vegas Golden Knights games when in town. Lil Jon lives and breathes that fan lifestyle along with his music.
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Giving Back to His Roots
Despite his immense success, Lil Jon never forgets his hometown roots. Along with rappers T.I. and Killer Mike, he sponsored a trip for his former high school’s marching band to perform at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Jon also helped fund the construction of two schools in rural Ghana, wanting to provide education for less fortunate children. And he regularly donates to various youth initiatives in the Atlanta region.
Still Turning Up After All These Years
In his 50s now, Lil Jon shows no signs of slowing down. He just premiered a new home renovation show on HGTV called Lil Jon Wants To Do What?
And he’s still churning out music, recently collaborating with the likes of French Montana, Tyga, and more. He also continues DJing and performing worldwide.
From middle class kid to multi-platinum icon worth $30 million, Lil Jon has come a long way from the suburbs of southwest Atlanta. His journey from rags to riches just goes to show how far talent, hustle, and dedication can take you.
So, the next time you hear those iconic Lil Jon ad-libs or the infectious beat of “Get Low,” remember the crazy rich life story behind the Crunk King.
