Lil Jon, the iconic rapper known for his energetic party anthems, recently opened up about how his signature hit “Get Low” almost sounded completely different from the version everyone knows today.
During an appearance on the One Song podcast, Jon shared how the track, released in 2002 with the East Side Boyz and the Ying Yang Twins, almost had a different chorus — one that would not have been the unforgettable “Get Low” fans love.
The Original Hook: ‘Let It Go’ Instead of ‘Get Low’
In the podcast interview, Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, recalled going into the studio to work on the chorus for the track. He admitted that the first version was “the wackest chorus” he had ever created in his career. Lil Jon confessed that the original chorus was meant to be “let it go,” rather than the catchy and repetitive “get low.”
“We didn’t come up with ‘get low’ yet. No. No. We thought ‘Let It Go’ is a smash,” he explained. The rapper even played a snippet of this original version for the podcast hosts, Diallo Riddle and Blake “LUXXURY” Robin, marking its world premiere. Fans had never heard this early version, except for those who were in the studio at the time.
From ‘Let It Go’ to the Iconic Anthem
Lil Jon found it “crazy” how the song evolved from its early version to become a staple at weddings, clubs, and dance parties. The shift from the original idea to the well-known “get low” made the track an anthem that transcended generations.
The song became a massive success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending an impressive 45 weeks on the charts.
Lil Jon also credited his engineering team for helping shape the final version of the song. The original introduction, which had been placed at the end of the track, was repositioned by his engineer, Ray C, to the start. This change played a significant role in making the song even catchier.
Lil Jon said, “I was like, ‘How did you think to do that? Like, why didn’t I think of that? Like, that’s amazing.’” The new arrangement captured listeners’ attention right from the beginning, adding to the track’s appeal.
Lil Jon’s Evolving Career
While he’s known for making music that gets everyone to party, Lil Jon’s career has expanded into other areas. He’s also ventured into designing homes on HGTV in the series Lil Jon Wants to Do What?. Reflecting on his career evolution, Lil Jon shared that his younger self would think it’s “cool” that he’s found a new creative outlet.
He emphasized the importance of growth and adaptability in the entertainment world, saying, “You have to grow, because the music is not going to always be relevant.”
Lil Jon believes that, to have longevity in the industry, artists must be able to adapt and evolve. He learned early on that staying ahead of trends and being flexible are key to maintaining a lasting career.
Lil Jon’s revelation about the original “Get Low” hook offers an interesting glimpse into how the song went from an idea that could have been easily forgotten to becoming a dance anthem.
The song’s evolution is a testament to the creative process, and it shows how collaboration, along with some smart engineering, can transform a good idea into something legendary.
