When Lil Jon began his About Last Night residency at Hakkasan in the spring, he kicked off his first set by emerging from a clubgoers’ table in the party-ready crowd. It was spontaneous and undeniably fun, and that kind of unexpected move has become par for the course at his Hakkasan parties.
When you’re as recognizable as Lil Jon, it isn’t easy to catch people off-guard. “You can’t hang out with me for a day and not get tired of people saying ‘Yeah!’ and ‘What?’ and ‘Okay!’” says the infamous Atlanta-born producer, songwriter and rapper, referencing comedian Dave Chappelle’s equally infamous impersonation of Jon on Chappelle’s Show. “People ask if I’m tired of hearing it, but I just tune it out. I don’t hear it. But every time I see Dave I thank him, because by doing that sketch he helped to bring me to people that would have never heard or seen me. That took me further than the music.”
That’s saying something, as Jon has cranked out an unending list of hits for artists including Ciara, E-40, Pitbull, T.I. and Usher, not to mention his own inescapable club bangers like the DJ Snake collabo “Turn Down for What.”
“I’ve just been blessed to have a great career. To be in Vegas now helping people rage is great. But more music is coming,” Jon says. Whatever he’s working on, rest assured it’ll find its way to his unpredictable sets during About Last Night, one of the Strip’s most exciting recurring club parties. Lil Jon at Hakkasan at MGM Grand, August 26.