Lil Jon is proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. The Grammy-winning rapper, producer, and DJ best known for club anthems like Turn Down for What surprised fans this Labor Day weekend by making his bodybuilding debut and walking away with a medal.
On Monday, Sept. 1, the 53-year-old hit the stage at the Muscle Beach Championships in Venice, California, competing in the Men’s Physique Master’s Over 45 category. Sporting his leanest, most muscular frame to date, Lil Jon impressed both the crowd and judges, ultimately placing third in his division.
“It’s been a lot physically, just in the gym, dedication, eating, focus. I’m winning just by being here and changing my lifestyle, mentally and physically,” Lil Jon told reporters. “One of the things I hope is that I can be an inspiration to so many people who say, ‘Oh, I don’t have time. I can’t do it.’ If I can do it, then you can do it too.”
The annual event, known for drawing competitors from around the globe, is a proving ground for amateurs in bodybuilding, figure, physique, and wellness categories. For Lil Jon, the competition marked more than just a new hobby—it’s the latest milestone in a wellness journey he’s been openly documenting over the past few years.
Once synonymous with the hard-partying energy of the early 2000s crunk era, Lil Jon has steadily pivoted toward a lifestyle centered on balance and self-care.
In 2024, he released a guided meditation album, Total Meditation, mixing his unmistakable voice with calming affirmations. He’s also been sharing workout tips on social media, posting treadmill routines and training advice for fans curious about his transformation.
“I get asked all the time how I got in such good shape. No. 1 is diet. No. 2 is this,” he said in a recent Instagram video while demonstrating an incline treadmill walk. “It’ll melt the fat off your body. Do it, do it, do it. Yeah!”
Lil Jon also performed during the Muscle Beach festivities, reminding the crowd that while his image is evolving, his music remains central to who he is. Still, it’s clear this new chapter isn’t about proving himself to anyone but him.
After turning 50, the Atlanta native said he felt the need to reassess his health, cut back on drinking, and channel his energy into fitness and mindfulness. “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,” he told NPR last year.
Now, standing onstage at Muscle Beach with a bronze medal around his neck, Lil Jon is embracing his latest reinvention.
