Lil Jon has just about seen all that the music industry has to offer in his decorated career, and the King of Crunk is packing his roller-coaster ride into a poignant memoir.
The Atlanta legend announced the title and cover for his memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me, on Monday (April 13), which is slated to arrive on Oct. 20 via Atria/Black Privilege Publishing.
“I’ve worked on a lot of different projects over the years, but this one right here made me dig deep and turn inward,” Lil Jon said in a statement to People. “Y’all have heard my voice for over three decades, but here’s a chance to read what I really have to say about it all, and catch a glimpse into the innermost circles of both my professional and personal worlds.”
He continued: “I’ve been blessed to amass enormous wins, but with that I’ve also had to endure immense hardships and painful losses privately and publicly … And I’m finally ready to share that with you all. This ride ain’t been an easy one, but whoever said chasin’ your dreams was easy?”
Written with Paul Cantor, the memoir peels back the layers on Lil Jon’s hall of fame career, which began as a curious kid growing up in Atlanta and falling in love with music. He also dishes on forming Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, being the architect behind several generational hits and a crunk pioneer.
Lil Jon’s memoir cover for ‘I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me’
Courtesy of Black Privilege Publishing
On the flip side, Lil Jon opens up about his personal struggles, creative burnout and tragedies such as the devastating loss of his 27-year-old son, Nathan Smith, earlier this year.
Smith’s body was recovered in a pond near his Georgia home by authorities on Feb. 6. “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,” Lil Jon said in a statement. “He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together, we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”
Lil Jon has been part of nine top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including Usher’s “Yeah!,” “Snap Yo Fingers,” DJ Snake’s “Turn Down for What,” “Get Low” and Trick Daddy’s “Let’s Go.”
Look for Lil Jon’s I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me memoir to arrive on Oct. 20.
