Lil Jon Recently Learned That the Man Who Raised Him Isn’t His Biological Father: ‘Hard to Process’ (Exclusive)

Rapper and producer Lil Jon has lifted the veil on his family history in his forthcoming memoir, titled *I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me*, which will be released on 20 October. The artist, known for hits such as “Turn Down for What,” has shared that he recently discovered a shocking truth: the man who raised him is not his biological father.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, recalled the upheaval he felt upon learning this piece of information. “You never think that will happen to you,” he remarked. “And when it happens to you, it just knocks you back, and you’ve got so many questions.”

Jon was raised by his mother Carrie and the man he believed to be his biological father, Willie, alongside his two birth brothers, Willie Junior and Chris, as well as adopted siblings Mario and Sheena. His early passion for music blossomed at the tender age of six when he began playing the drums, despite his parents’ initial struggle to comprehend his burgeoning talent.

Tragically, in the early 2000s, Jon faced the loss of Willie to bone marrow cancer, an event that occurred before he fully achieved stardom. Reflecting on this loss, he conveyed a sense of melancholy: “He didn’t really see me become a star. I think he would’ve just been so proud.” However, Carrie had the opportunity to witness her son’s rise to fame before her passing in 2013, following complications from diabetes.

The revelation about Jon’s paternity came to him only recently. A cousin undertook a DNA test that led to unexpected results. “He shared his map with me,” Jon explained, revealing that their genetic connection did not match as expected. This unsettling discovery has left him searching for answers that he will never retrieve, as both his mother and fathers have passed away. “Neither one of my fathers are here anymore, nor my mother, so I can’t get answers,” he said, highlighting the frustration and heartache of his situation.

Despite the troubling discovery regarding his family lineage, Jon expressed gratitude towards his cousin, who reassured him that their relationship remains intact, regardless of biological connections. However, the emotional weight of his newfound knowledge has made it challenging for him to come to terms with it.

In a turn of events, Jon recently received outreach from siblings on his biological father’s side, which has further complicated his feelings. “I haven’t been ready to process that yet and have that conversation, because it’s just so heavy,” he shared. “It takes time.”

Jon’s journey as a father has also been marked by profound sorrow. He welcomed his son, Nathan, with ex-wife Nicole Smith in 1998. Tragically, Nathan, known in the music world as DJ Young Slade, passed away unexpectedly earlier this year at the age of 27 after being reported missing. His death was ruled an accidental drowning, compounded by the use of psilocybin.

In the wake of such heartache, Lil Jon is committed to cherishing his family, including his 22-month-old daughter, Nahara, whom he shares with partner Jamila Sozahdah. He reflected on the lessons fatherhood has taught him, urging others to appreciate the time they have with loved ones. “Don’t feel like you can put something off for tomorrow, because you don’t know how much time you have with people,” he advised. “Family is everything.”

Lil Jon’s memoir explores not only the challenges of his personal life but also his career and identity as an artist. Fans of the rapper can look forward to gleaning insights into his life when *I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me* hits the shelves.

For more details and a profound look into Lil Jon’s life, readers can check out this week’s issue of PEOPLE, available in stores now.