Lil Jon
Lil Jon is an Atlanta rap producer and vocalist. He is best known as a pioneer of the crunk style of rap.
Career History
Lil Jon was born Jonathan Smith in Atlanta. He was working as a club dj when Jermaine Dupri discovered him and invited him to work as an A and R man for So So Def. Lil Jon also hosted a radio show on V103. He also started doing remixes for Atlantas artists Usher, Too Short, Xscape and Total. He would work for So So Def between 1993 and 2000,
In 1996, Lil Jon linked up with the Eastside Boyz consisting of Big Sam and Lil Bo to produce the album Get Crunk, Who U Wit:Da Album. This contained the song "Who You Wit" which became a club anthem in Atlanta. This song would be a pivotal track in the development of crunk featuring booming bass, synthesiser riffs and loud vocal chants. DJ Smurf of the Ludacris, Too Short and Chyna Whyte became a hit in clubs throughout the US and also made the top twenty downloads on MP3.com.
In 2002, Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz released their breakthrough album Kings of Crunk. The first single "I Don't Give a ****" featuring Mystikal and Krayzie Bone became another dancefloor filler. However, it was "Get Low" with the Ying Yang Twins and its catchy hook "to the window, to the wall" that became a breakout hit. It would go top 5 in a composite worldwide r&b chart (compiled from US, German, French, UK and Australian r&b charts) in 2003 and internet download charts. It would also break Lil Jon internationally going into the top 40 in markets such as Germany and Australia in 2004. Based on the success of "Get Low", Kings of Crunk would make the top twenty of the US album chart in September 2003. Lil Jon would put out a compilation CD and DVD in 2003 called Part II featuring remixes of "Get Low" featuring Busta Rhymes and Elephant Man as well as the Ying Yang Twins.
In late 2003, Usher would ask Lil Jon to produce and appear on "Yeah" the lead single from his Confessions album. The track would become one of the biggest hits of 2004 topping the Billboard Hot 100, European, World, US and World R&B charts, World Adult, Australian, Norwegian and Swiss charts and reached number 2 in Canada. Dave Chappelle of Chappelle's Show would later perform a sketch parodying Lil Jon as he appeared in the video. Chappelle's "Lil Jon" character was almost unable to say anything other than the words "Yeah!" "Okay!" and "What!?" in a loud, accented voice, leading to comic effect as he attempted to check luggage at an airport. and in a later sketch, sat down for an interview. In both sketches, the Lil Jon character would attempt to get by with just those three words, with occasional exception.
Lil Jon is currently working on an album Crunk Juice which will feature contributions from Rick Rubin, R. Kelly, Ice Cube, Timbaland, Usher, and Ludacris. He will also be working with Korn for a track on their next album for release later in 2004.
Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys
As of 2004, Lil Jon and the Eastide Boyz consists of:
Discography
