Jon Jacks Popular Books

Jon Jacks Biography & Facts

Jonathan H. Smith (born January 17, 1972), better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, DJ, and record producer. He was instrumental in the commercial breakthrough of the hip hop subgenre crunk in the early 2000s, and is often credited as a progenitor of the genre. He was the frontman of the crunk group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, with whom he has released five albums. In addition, Lil Jon served as a producer for most recordings by artists of whom popularized the genre; these include Pitbull, Too Short, E-40, Ludacris, Ciara, and Usher.As a producer, Lil Jon has produced several Billboard Hot 100 hit singles including "Salt Shaker", "Cyclone", "Get Low", "Snap Yo Fingers", "Damn!", "Freek-a-Leek", "Lovers and Friends", "Goodies" and "Yeah!". The latter of which won Lil Jon a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance as part of his five Grammy Award nominations.In 2013, Lil Jon released "Turn Down for What" (with DJ Snake), an EDM single which was certified octuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song went on to win the Billboard Music Award for Top Dance/Electronic Song. The accompanying music video was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, and passed the milestone of 1 billion views on YouTube seven years after it was released. Listed as one of the Top Billboard Music Award Winners of All Time in 2016, Lil Jon has amassed his eight number one singles on Billboard's Rhythmic chart. Early life Smith was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in a middle-class neighborhood located in Southwest Atlanta. He is the oldest of five children born to his father, an aerospace engineer with former military service, and his mother, with a medical career within the military. Three of his siblings would later follow their parents lead and also serve in the United States military.Smith attended Beecher Hills Elementary School and Southwest Middle School, both located within the Atlanta Public School district. His mother described him as a high achiever early on in addition to being independent and a passionate reader. While in middle school, Smith became lifelong friends with Robert McDowell, Dwayne "Emperor" Searcy (future DJ and radio personality for Radio One's WHTA), and Vince Phillips (named as one of Billboard's Top Music Lawyers since 2020), who would become business partners. The foursome quickly became immersed in the skateboarding culture and would later work at Skate Escape, a popular skate and bicycle shop near the city's iconic Piedmont Park. While his best friends attended Benjamin E. Mays High School, Smith attended Frederick Douglass High School for their magnet program and was a member of the marching band. They also began to frequently attend concerts at the Masquerade, to see their favorite bands, including Agent Orange and Red Hot Chili Peppers.At the age of 15, Smith taught himself how to DJ, and although his parents were strict, they gave him a chance to work on his DJ skills by allowing him to have house parties in the basement of the family home, citing that they would rather have him under their watch than for him to "be in the street somewhere". The parties, hosted by Smith and Searcy "Old E and Chicken Parties", became popular with local teens. In addition to working at the skate shop, Smith also began spinning at house parties and working in local dance clubs as a DJ. Eventually Smith became an in house DJ at Phoenix, a popular Atlanta nightclub at the time. It was there he would meet established music artists such as Jermaine Dupri, TLC, the Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack and Mary J. Blige. Career 1991–2000: So So Def After graduating high school, Lil Jon continued to work as a DJ in popular downtown Atlanta clubs. It was there he met Jermaine Dupri. When it came to hiring an A&R to lead his Atlanta-based music label So So Def, Dupri stated that "All I could think about was Lil Jon, because he was the person in the clubs. He knew people, DJs knew him. I had to hire him." After he was promoted to Executive Vice President of A&R, Lil Jon recruited DJ Smurf, Shawty Redd, Raheem the Dream, and Playa Poncho with others to create the compilation album series, So So Def Bass All Stars as his first project. Released on May 12, 1996, the album was a success, selling over 500,000 units and was certified gold by the RIAA on September 19, 1996, four months after its initial release. The album, executive produced by Lil Jon, included the hit single "My Boo" by Ghost Town DJ's. It was sampled by Ciara in her 2013 hit "Body Party". In 2016, 20 years after its initial release, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 29 due to a viral dance video. Lil Jon completed the series, releasing So So Def Bass All-Stars Vol. II (1997) and So So Def Bass All-Stars Vol. III (1998).Apart from his label commitments, Lil Jon was a radio personality and DJ on Atlanta radio station, V-103, continued to produce music for outside music artists, and was still working as a DJ at popular clubs around the city. 1995–2005: Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz In 1995, Lil Jon collaborated with Big Sam and Lil' Bo to form a musical rap group: the East Side Boyz.In 1996, the group released their debut single, "Who U Wit?". The song is credited as bringing the term "crunk" into hip-hop currency. In 1997, the group released their debut album Get Crunk, Who U Wit: Da Album. The singles "Who U Wit?", produced by Lil Jon, and "Shawty Freak a Lil Sumthin", produced by DJ Toomp, charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 70 and No. 62, respectively.In 2000, through the newly created label Black Market, the group released their breakthrough album We Still Crunk!! which featured the single "I Like Dem Girlz" which reached No. 55 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.The team was well equipped with prior experience at promoting albums and worked to grow the group's fan base across radio markets. Promotional street teams that were hired major music labels to promote their repertoire, began to talk within music promotion circles on how successful Lil Jon and his team were on the ground and were gaining radio airplay in radio markets that were usually difficult for non local artists to break into.Bryan Leach, formerly an A&R executive at the now defunct New York based label TVT Records, heard about the group and attended their Atlanta show. He was blown away by the group's immense energy. Leach told HitQuarters: "It was like early Beastie Boys, when they had the energy of a rock group but they were rapping, and that energy is what crunk music is all about." By 2002, Leach signed Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz to TVT Records with Black Market delivering the albums to the label. The group released the album Put Yo Hood Up, which combined previously released tracks with new ones. "Bia' Bia'", which featured Ludacris, Too Short, Big Kap, and Chyna Whyte was th.... 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Best Seller Jon Jacks Books of 2024

  • Dragonsapien synopsis, comments

    Dragonsapien

    Jon Jacks

    We thought dragons were extinct – now we’re the ones facing extinctionDragons didn’t go away – they just evolved.They look, act, and think like humans.So when Jake and the beautifu...

  • The Boy In White Linen synopsis, comments

    The Boy In White Linen

    Jon Jacks

    Visiting a troubled Jerusalem, schoolgirl Lillianne Pine (Lil) finds she’s increasingly drawn to Harry, a young British Army Captain, after meeting a mysterious boy in white linen....

  • An Incomparable Pearl synopsis, comments

    An Incomparable Pearl

    Jon Jacks

    To ensure an heir, the king raises his daughter as Prince Argaret – only for the older Princess Epistem and Queen Telete to murder the king and blame the prince. Exiled to lands im...

  • Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away synopsis, comments

    Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away

    Ajahn Chah & Paul Breiter

    Powerful Buddhist teachings, demystifiedfrom the spiritual mentor of Jon KabatZinn, Sharon Salzberg, and Jack Kornfield Previous books by Ajahn Chah have consisted of collections o...

  • The Furthest Horizon synopsis, comments

    The Furthest Horizon

    Gardner Dozois

    It is the essence of science fiction to chart the possibilities of the future, but it takes the hand of a master to capture the farthest reaches of timefutures almost unimaginably ...

  • Palace of Lace synopsis, comments

    Palace of Lace

    Jon Jacks

    She's no older than seven; and yet she’s calling the children of our lands together, telling us we must prevent our king’s coronation. An ancient mosaic has been uncovered, its pat...

  • Love Poison No. 13 synopsis, comments

    Love Poison No. 13

    Jon Jacks

    Born under the 13th sign, she dances as entrancingly as the serpent, he creates venomous potions.She becomes the citizens’ darling, he the elite’s secretive aid to wielding power.H...

  • Stuff Christians Like synopsis, comments

    Stuff Christians Like

    Jonathan Acuff

    Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to ble...

  • Lesser Nefertiti synopsis, comments

    Lesser Nefertiti

    Jon Jacks

    Why does the freshly excavated Egyptian tomb have a second, sealed door? And why has it been desecrated, and the mummy’s head severed?As Clary illustrates the recovered artefacts, ...

  • Songs of the Dying Earth synopsis, comments

    Songs of the Dying Earth

    George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois

    This tribute anthology celebrates the work of SF/F legend Jack Vance, featuring original stories from George R. R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Dan Simmons, Elizabeth Moon, Tanith Lee, Tad...

  • Maker of Darkness synopsis, comments

    Maker of Darkness

    Jon Jacks

    The queen delivers her child far too early.The ladies in waiting declare the poor boy malformed.The king disowns him, accusing the queen of being a witch.The lady who waits unseen ...

  • Race from A to Z synopsis, comments

    Race from A to Z

    Jon Scieszka

    Like the New York Times bestselling Smash! Crash! and Truckery Rhymes, this trucktastic alphabet adventure is full of creativity, fun, and truckloving action!Honk if you love truck...

  • The Unicorndoll synopsis, comments

    The Unicorndoll

    Jon Jacks

    A unicorndoll is a means to finding a real unicorn.Because yes, unicorns exist.And they’re as graceful and pure as the myths suggest.But to find one, you have to unweave the truth ...

  • Stuff Christians Like synopsis, comments

    Stuff Christians Like

    Jon Acuff

    Using the same humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries, speaker Jon Acuff brings his insightful take on Christianity to th...

  • Sick Teen synopsis, comments

    Sick Teen

    Jon Jacks

    It starts with one tattoo: the hare and the moon.You know – to go with my supposedly ‘wild’ nature?Then, I think, Wow, wouldn’t something like a serpent look even better?Thing is, ...

  • The Wicker Slippers synopsis, comments

    The Wicker Slippers

    Jon Jacks

    Witch one will they choose?What would you do if you found an ancient pair of witch’s slippers in the old cottage you were staying at?Janet, who loves Lee (who loves Maxine), tries ...

  • The Soulless Daughter synopsis, comments

    The Soulless Daughter

    Jon Jacks

    If you ever saw Keyri joyously caring for her parents’ farm animals, you’d think she was the most kindhearted soul you’d ever come across. And yet when the villagers saw she had ne...

  • Hug Machine synopsis, comments

    Hug Machine

    Scott Campbell

    Who have YOU hugged today? Open your arms to this delightfully tender, goofy, and sweet tale.Watch out world, here he comes! The Hug Machine!Whether you are big, or small, or squar...

  • Queen of Cards synopsis, comments

    Queen of Cards

    Jon Jacks

    As soon as Holly’s brother Hal finally starts winning at cards, he’s murdered.Worse still, he leaves her little more from the family fortune than an ancient pack of cards he claims...

  • We Need to Talk About . . . Kevin Bridges synopsis, comments

    We Need to Talk About . . . Kevin Bridges

    Kevin Bridges

    The comic autobiography of 2014 A comedian's autobiography? I wonder if he's ever used humour to deflect from his insecurities? To avoid being bullied? Is there heartache beh...

  • The Truth About Fairies synopsis, comments

    The Truth About Fairies

    Jon Jacks

    Many tales warn us to beware the Fay Queen: yet when she stealsaway Rouger, his friend Luna sets out to find her magical realm.A small key made of a mistletoe berry provides her fi...

  • Battling Jack Turpin synopsis, comments

    Battling Jack Turpin

    Jackie Turpin

    Now in his 80th year, 'Battling' Jack Turpin is the last surviving member of his generation of Britain's bestknown and bestloved boxing family.Jack's father, Lionel Turpin, came fr...

  • Committed synopsis, comments

    Committed

    Chris Merritt

    Six days to stop a deadly attack. And no one else believes it's real.'Ingenious and turbocharged with suspense. A writer to surely put on your reading list.' David Baldacci 'Very w...

  • God of the 4th Sun synopsis, comments

    God of the 4th Sun

    Jon Jacks

    Despite their many sacrifices, Tesetra’s people have been forsaken by their gods. Having accidentally come across a member of the supposedly legendary Snake People, Tesetra sets ou...

  • This Country synopsis, comments

    This Country

    Chris Matthews

    A “quintessentially American” (Policy Magazine) memoir of politics and history from Chris Matthews, New York Times bestselling author and longtime host of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chr...

  • Tod is God synopsis, comments

    Tod is God

    Tod Gordon & Sean Oliver

    The uncensored inside story of ECW’s founder Tod Gordon’s journey from jewelry store owner to one of the three most powerful promoters in pro wrestling.“An incredible, entertaining...

  • Wyrd Girl synopsis, comments

    Wyrd Girl

    Jon Jacks

    She’s in an Otherworld.I’m the weird girl.You know; the one every kid in class avoids, just in case what I’ve got is catching.Not that I care.See, there are worlds other than this ...

  • Gates of the Horned Goddess synopsis, comments

    Gates of the Horned Goddess

    Jon Jacks

    When Lazier’s horse returns to court without him, everyone fears the worse.He’d set off to find the great walls rumoured to be holding back a race of giants from overrunning their ...

  • Slanted Jack synopsis, comments

    Slanted Jack

    Mark L. Van Name

    Save the BoySave the Galaxy!Pinkelponker. Funny name. Dangerous planet. It's one of the darkest secrets in the humaninhabited spacea planet under a centurieslong quarantine. A ...

  • The World Turns On A Card synopsis, comments

    The World Turns On A Card

    Jon Jacks

    Who doesn’t like to believe that Tarot Cards can solve all life’s problems, alleviate all worries?Well, not me; mainly because I’m the school’s resident charlatan, making out I can...

  • Straight Outta Crawley synopsis, comments

    Straight Outta Crawley

    Romesh Ranganathan

    THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERStraight Outta Crawley is the hilarious and irreverent autobiography from comedian Romesh Ranganathan.'Very, very funny. I can't recommend it highly enou...

  • Interlace synopsis, comments

    Interlace

    Jon Jacks

    The Prioress possesses a mirror that reveals far more about a person than they’re prepared to admit.The Lady of the Forbidden Tower traces every action in the lace she makes, its t...

  • The Cases That Haunt Us synopsis, comments

    The Cases That Haunt Us

    John E. Douglas

    Did Lizzie Borden murder her own father and stepmother? Was Jack the Ripper actually the Duke of Clarence? Who killed JonBenet Ramsey? #1 New York Times bestselling author and lege...

  • Elm of False Dreams synopsis, comments

    Elm of False Dreams

    Jon Jacks

    When Mima’s brother is killed by the witch and werelion Cerissa, she believes there is no hope for him until she briefly hears his cry for help in a magical horn. Before she can re...

  • Matchbox Fairy synopsis, comments

    Matchbox Fairy

    Jon Jacks

    Victorian London offers a hard life for an impoverished matchseller like Ruby.But is her luck about to change when she discovers a brokenwinged fairy trapped inside a discarded mat...

  • Died Blondes synopsis, comments

    Died Blondes

    Jon Jacks

    Huh, some sleepover – my two best friends dead, and their spirits moving in with me, into my body.Sure, the Rye Man made it look like an accident, but I know they were murdered.See...

  • The Kpop Princess Who Was Thrown Away synopsis, comments

    The Kpop Princess Who Was Thrown Away

    Jon Jacks

    Once the head of popular Kpop girl group FirstBloom, Pari had vanished after a series of scandals.Now she’s back, as her deceitful manager Minjun is dying: and his doctors have wei...

  • Eve of the Serpent synopsis, comments

    Eve of the Serpent

    Jon Jacks

    For a crust to keep her alive, Prytani will tell your future: for when she merges with her little vixen Tamesis, she can journey into the underworld.Her own world is one of towers ...

  • Freaking Freak synopsis, comments

    Freaking Freak

    Jon Jacks

    If you were offered the chance to be totally irresistible, even to the most gorgeous boy you know, would you stop to think there might just be the tiniest bit of a catch?Well, I di...