Lil Jon

Lil Jon is the stage name of American DJ, music producer and rapper Jonathan Smith, who rose to fame as the frontman of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Playing an important role in the emergence of the Crunk subgenre of hip-hop, the artist won a Grammy Award for “Yeah!” and a Recording Academy nomination for his music video for “Turn Down For What,” which was actively rotated on YouTube and MTV.

Smith’s first project was the Def Bass All-Stars compilation, recorded with the help of local rappers DJ Smurf, Shawty Redd, Raheem The Dream and Playa Poncho. Released on May 22, 1996, it was certified gold by the RIAA and started a series of records released over the next 2 years.

In the early 2000s, after the release of “We Still Crunk!”, the tracks from which rose to the top of the Billboard charts, The East Side Boyz were visited by the CEO of a reputable New York recording studio. Impressed by the energy of the young musicians, he signed the band to a contract, securing their national exposure.