July 25, 2010 - As quiet as it's kept, the list for “America’s Most Wanted” has been altered without the general public catching wind of the change. Under the cover of night, the top spot was claimed by a man who’s been absent from the music scene for several years now. No, he didn’t commit any crimes, but after largely dominating the music scene during the early part of the millennium, the absence of rapper-producer Lil Jon had reached a level that was borderline criminal.

How does one go from enjoying a production presence on the albums of virtually every major artist to sliding into obscurity without even a hint as to what prompted the disappearance? That was the million-dollar question in regards to little Jon, until rolling out ran into him at a quiet Los Angeles photography studio where he agreed to pose for our cover. With a new album (Crunk Rock) on the shelves, and a renewed focus on his physical, mental and emotional health, Lil Jon didn’t come across as a man who had been largely MIA. Instead, what we found was man who was at peace with his decisions — even at the cost of having people question his disappearance.

This week's cover story shares moments from the personal and private conversations from that fateful day with the undisputed King of Crunk. His words — both poignant and pointed — spoke to his sincere belief that crunk isn’t dead. No, in his eyes, it was simply preparing for a beautiful revival.