Lil Jon is turning one of the hardest chapters of his life into a story he hopes can help someone else get through theirs.

In a new interview about his upcoming memoir, “I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me,” the producer and hypeman opened up about writing through the grief of losing his son, Nathan Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade. Smith died in February after he was found in a retention pond in Milton, Georgia; an autopsy ruled the death an accidental drowning and noted psilocybin use as a contributing factor. 

According to Lil Jon, the memoir had already been completed earlier this year, but after his son’s death, he went back into the manuscript and added new reflections about “processing and dealing with” the loss. He said the book became more like a personal outlet. 

“Me telling my story and what I’m going through could help someone else to get through it,” he said. “Cause I’m not alone.” 

The Atlanta rapper also shared that he has been leaning on spirituality as he moves through grief, saying he felt “prepared” for the loss and that he had to reach a “different mindset” to keep going. He also spoke about the support he has received from family, friends, and fellow celebrities who understand what that kind of pain feels like. 

“I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me" is currently slated for release on Oct. 20, and it follows a stretch of major life changes for Lil Jon, including his separation from wife Nicole Smith after 18 years of marriage. Even with those difficult transitions, the memoir suggests he is focused on honesty, healing, and leaving something meaningful behind.