Lil Jon, the hugely popular hip-hop artist who electrified audiences at the Democratic National Convention with his unforgettable performance of “Turn Down For What,” is currently immersing himself in self-care practices and addressing personal well-being. Recently, he opened up during an interview with CNN, where he shared the experiences that catalyzed his focus on holistic health. The renowned producer revealed that several years back, he faced the challenges of going through a divorce coupled with the realization of a milestone birthday. It was during this tumultuous period that a friend encouraged him to tap into the power of music as a form of meditation. This pivotal experience led him to create what would become his “Total Meditation” album, though initially, the concept met with skepticism.
Responding to doubts surrounding the album’s potential, Lil Jon reflected, “Some people were like, ‘What is this gonna sound like? Is he gonna be yelling?’” However, the outcome exceeded expectations. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, dispelling notions that the music would be anything less than calming and motivational. Once listeners engaged with the album, many expressed how they had previously never considered meditation but found solace thanks to songs from the album. Lil Jon was moved, receiving numerous messages attesting to how his music had aided listeners in navigating personal struggles and helped them embrace meditation for the first time.
As Lil Jon progressed in this journey, he introduced a second album titled “Manifest Abundance Affirmations for Personal Growth.” This new venture incorporates personal affirmations, enriching his previous approach with deeper, more individualized content. Now at 53, he is keen to use his platform as a hip-hop superstar to advocate for better health, targeting particularly the Black community, with whom he shares cultural experiences. He expressed the importance of mental health in his life: “It’s a journey that I’m on. I have probably still like five more albums worth of stuff that we didn’t drop yet. It is a priority to me,” showcasing his commitment to destigmatizing mental health conversations.
Lil Jon’s commitment to health advocacy further manifests in his latest remix of his iconic 2002 song “Get Low.” Partnering with Cologuard, a brand offering at-home colon cancer screening kits, he is promoting the critical importance of early detection of diseases. He candidly shared his own experience, stating, “I got a colonoscopy about two years ago. Mine was clean. I probably would’ve used the Cologuard test if I had really known about it.” His willingness to discuss these substantive health matters highlights his genuine desire to encourage others to prioritize their health.
Not merely confined to raising health awareness, Lil Jon continues to make waves in the entertainment scene by maintaining his residency in Las Vegas—an achievement that solidifies his status as a trailblazer in the industry. Committed to infusing fun into all his endeavors, he asserts that his work, especially regarding the music video for “Get Low #2,” should evoke joy. “If Lil Jon, the guy known for partying is talking about this it might cause people to say let me check this out,” he stated, reinforcing how important it is to engage audiences in discussing vital health issues in a lighthearted manner.
Understanding that serious conversations require a certain level of accessibility, he quipped about the nature of colon cancer screening, saying, “You gotta get low to take a number two to screen for colon cancer.” Through his mix of humor and seriousness, Lil Jon aims to make what is often a daunting topic feel approachable, encouraging individuals to seek out necessary screening and foster proactive health management. His narrative serves as a testament to the potential of using celebrity influence to enact positive change while simultaneously remaining authentic to his roots in music and entertainment.