Rapper Lil Jon Embraces Meditation for Transformation
Every morning, rapper Lil Jon begins his day with three powerful affirmations: "I am happy. I am healthy. I am at peace." These words are more than just a routine for the 52-year-old artist; they mark a significant turning point in his life.
"I would say those affirmations every day," Lil Jon shared. "Throughout the day before I go to sleep, if I'm closing my eyes, that's the time to meditate, too, when you drift off. And those affirmations help. And the meditation helped me to get into a more positive mindset."
In a surprising departure from his traditional Southern "crunk" style, the rapper, DJ, and producer recently unveiled his latest album, "Total Meditation." This unique project features Lil Jon's voice guiding listeners through meditations and mantras, offering a path to inner peace and tranquility, a contrast to his high-energy party tracks.
Lil Jon's album aims to lead listeners on a journey towards serenity, providing meditations for "every aspect" of life. This shift towards meditation and introspection followed a health scare a few years back, prompting the artist to reevaluate his lifestyle choices and eliminate alcohol from his routine.
"I felt like I started to come out of a fog and I had clarity," said Lil Jon.
In creating "Total Meditation," he was determined to ensure his voice would convey the necessary calmness and clarity for effective meditation, a significant departure from the high-energy vocal style he's known for.
"You can't scream all the time," he said. "For every song I do, I have the find the right voice for that track. So it took me a moment to find the right voice. I really wanted to make sure my voice was soothing and it helps to relax you and I said the words properly and clearly. It took me a moment in the studio to figure it out."
Lil Jon said the response to "Total Meditation" has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I've gotten so many friends of mine, regular people to hit me and say, 'Wow, I've never meditated before, I tried your album out, I actually went to sleep, I actually felt better, it helped me deal with some grief in my life,'" he said. "People are really loving it. People are hitting me saying they listen to these meditations every single day. They are meant to be played everyday if you need it."
Presently, Lil Jon's daily routine involves practicing meditation under a copper pyramid while sipping on ginger tea and reciting his affirmations. As he has grown older, he has come to appreciate the deep sense of tranquility that arises from embracing life's occurrences.
"When you learn to accept whatever comes your way in life, you will never feel overwhelmed, because you trust that everything will turn out fine," he explained.
