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American rapper Jonathan H Smith, popularly known as Lil Jon, made headlines recently for a significant announcement — he has converted to Islam.

The news was confirmed through an Instagram post where Lil Jon expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support he received from his “brothers and sisters” in faith, signing off with “Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God).

The conversion was made public in an online video that saw Lil Jon recite the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, in both Arabic and English at a mosque in Los Angeles. Daily Sabah, a Turkish news website, reported that the rapper shared his decision with a large congregation.

Lil Jon, who’s widely known for hits like ‘Yeah’, ‘Turn Down for What’, ‘Let’s Go’, ‘Get Low’ and ‘Act a Fool’, is part of a growing list of influential figures who have embraced Islam in recent years. From prominent stem cell scientist Henry Larson to activist Shaun King, individuals from diverse backgrounds have converted recently.

Just two weeks ago, the rapper and producer had been deeply immersed in the practice of meditation, a pursuit he credits with helping him navigate the complexities of life. In an interview with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe, Lil Jon shared insights into his recent focus and the release of his album, Total Meditation, featuring his own mantras instead of music.

Reflecting on his journey towards mindfulness, Lil Jon emphasised the importance of finding balance amidst life’s challenges. “You gotta turn down sometimes,” he said. The artist shared that this pursuit of balance was not merely a creative endeavour but a deeply personal one, stemming from his experiences of anxiety and stress.

“Turning 50, looking at my life, looking at my marriage and a lot of things, and trying to move on and get through those things,” Lil Jon revealed. He added that meditation has become a cornerstone of his daily routine. “I found at this particular point in my life, I really need to go into it a little deeper,” he explained.