Lil Jon flexed more than his Hip-Hop credentials on Labor Day when he hit the stage at the 2025 Muscle Beach Championships in Venice, California, stepping into a bodybuilding contest that drew amateur lifters from around the globe.
Known for his high-energy anthems and crunk legacy, the Grammy-winning artist didn’t just perform for the crowd. He stripped down, oiled up and joined the competition, showcasing a transformed physique built through months of discipline and clean living.
“Been a lot physically, just in the gym. Dedication. Eating. Focus. I’m winning just by being here and, you know, changing my lifestyle mentally and physically,” Lil Jon said during the event.
The Muscle Beach Championships has long been a proving ground for aspiring athletes. But few expected to see the 50-something rapper among the competitors, especially after a career built on late nights and party anthems.
Lil Jon’s journey to the weight bench started after a close friend underwent triple bypass surgery in his 40s. That wake-up call, combined with his own string of minor health issues and alcohol-related liver concerns, pushed the rapper to reevaluate his lifestyle.
He ultimately quit drinking, a decision he said brought him mental clarity and improved overall health. That pivot also led him to adopt wellness practices such as meditation, clean eating, and regular workouts.
By 2024, he’d released two guided meditation albums—Total Meditation and Manifest Ab: Affirmations of Growth—and launched his wellness brand, Soul Chakra, which includes live meditation and sound bath experiences.
But the Muscle Beach stage marked a new chapter.
Lil Jon wasn’t just promoting wellness—he was living it, shirtless and shredded.
“One of the things I hope is that I can be an inspiration to so many people that say, I don’t have time, I can’t do it. If I can do it and you can do it too, no excuses,” he said.