Overview of The School of Greatness with Lil Jon
On The School of Greatness, Lewis Howes talks with producer and rapper Lil Jon about manifestation, personal accountability, creativity, faith, and grief. Looking back on his career and relationships, Lil Jon describes how daily affirmations and meditation helped him change his outlook, and how he now sees his purpose shifting from bringing people joy through music to helping them heal.
What Lil Jon Says About Manifestation
Lil Jon says repeating a goal is not enough: you have to believe it is possible and take opportunities when they come. He recommends focusing on goals that feel meaningful and achievable, and replacing negative self-talk with positive intentions. During his divorce, he began repeating, “I am happy. I am healthy. I am at peace,” and says the practice helped him shift his mindset.
He also notes that success in music did not automatically bring happiness at home. For him, changing his outlook meant examining what was missing in his life and making difficult choices.
Accountability, Family, and Grief
Lil Jon reflects on ways he could have been a more attentive husband, father, and collaborator. He apologized to his former mentor Paul Lewis for how their working relationship ended, and worked to improve his relationship with his son. In their final conversation, he apologized for not recognizing his son’s efforts; his son died the following day.
He urges listeners not to put off time with loved ones. He recalls taking his son to Japan, a trip his son described as one of the best experiences of his life, and turning down a Saturday Night Live appearance to be with him on his birthday. After his son’s death, Lil Jon says his young daughter has brought comfort and motivation to keep living healthily.
Career Setbacks, Creativity, and Resilience
Lil Jon credits his work ethic partly to his mother, who built a life for herself after growing up in a large family in LaGrange, Georgia. As a child, he faced an eye injury and teasing, which he says taught him to work hard and use obstacles as motivation.
After a run of hits, he experienced burnout and lost confidence in his music. A night out with DJ Spider helped him reconnect with music and return to DJing, eventually leading to a long residency in Las Vegas. He also describes how an album that failed to find an audience was followed by “Turn Down for What,” a major hit. His lesson: setbacks do not have to end a creative career.
Faith, Acceptance, and His Calling
Lil Jon says he tries to trust God, accept what he cannot control, and meet hardship with gratitude. He describes his guiding principles as acceptance, trusting God to lead, and loving others. He also says he wants to avoid holding onto resentment, which he believes weighs on a person and keeps them from moving forward.
He sees his current calling as helping people heal. Through meditation albums and his memoir, I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me, he hopes his experiences can help others feel less alone in grief and other difficult moments.
Key Takeaways
- Make time for loved ones now; there may not be a later opportunity.
- Take responsibility for your part in strained relationships and say what needs to be said.
- Pair positive intentions with belief, effort, and a willingness to act on opportunities.
- Treat setbacks as part of a longer journey rather than proof that your best work is behind you.
- Lil Jon defines greatness as living in God’s purpose and being true to yourself.