Hyundai Motor America, in collaboration with its agency, Culture Brands, is back with a new campaign as part of its award-winning “OKAY Hyundai” series. The campaign, which celebrates music and community, features multi-platinum artist and the ultimate hype man, rapper Lil Jon, in its 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid ad.

“With the new Palisade Hybrid, we’re not just introducing a vehicle — we’re honoring the moments that matter most to our consumers,” Sean Gilpin, Vice President, Global Sales Marketing for Hyundai Motor Company and Chief Marketing Officer for Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement. “Partnering with Culture Brands and Lil Jon, we’ve created a campaign that champions authenticity, sophistication, and the power of seeing yourself celebrated on screen.”

Lil Jon, known for his signature “OK” tagline, approves of the new vehicle. Here’s what he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet about collaborating with Hyundai for this new ad — plus, his new music, tour, and love of bodybuilding.

Lil Jon says he was ‘shocked’ by the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

Lil Jon spoke to Showbiz Cheat Sheet about shooting the new ad for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid. The ad features beautiful visuals as family and friends experience the vehicle for the first time. Their joy is palpable as they spot the Hyundai on the road. And, of course, Lil Jon gives his stamp of approval with his signature “OK!” catchphrase.

Lil Jon notes that Hyundai reached out to him with the opportunity.

“They have the ‘OKAY’ campaign that they’ve done. And who else is synonymous with the word ‘OK’?” he said. “So I was like, yeah, I’m down, let’s see what it’s about.”

He noted that this commercial marked his first time “ever being in a Hyundai.” The 2026 Palisade Hybrid features a hybrid powertrain offering over 600 miles of driving range, advanced safety and connectivity, and America’s Best Warranty.

“I didn’t even know Hyundai made a luxury SUV,” Lil Jon explained. “I didn’t know Hyundai had any luxury vehicles at all. It was like, ‘OK, Hyundai!’ … This is nice. It’s a really nice vehicle. The Palisade is just as plush as any other luxury car or SUV, and I really like it a lot.”

The ad uses “Snap Yo Fingers,” an iconic Lil Jon song from 2006. According to the rapper, Hyundai wanted to use “Snap Yo Fingers” or “Get Low,” but ultimately chose the former. And he also “felt like the vibe of ‘Snap Yo Fingers’ fit with the vibe” of the ad.

“‘Snap Yo Fingers’ is grown and more chill,” the rapper explained. “‘Get Low’ is the club, and we wildin’ out. I think a lot of us were on the same page with that.”

One of Lil Jon’s most memorable moments on set had to do with checking out the car for the first time. “I was really shocked at how nice it was, because I’d never been in that Hyundai before,” he explained. “I didn’t know they could do luxury like that.” He added that every seat in the car is comfortable, too.

Lil Jon listens to old-school hip-hop when he drives

While speaking to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Lil Jon noted that he listens to everything from jazz to old-school hip-hop. And he uses his car to help him work on his own music.

“When I’m working on music, that’s my time to listen to what I’ve been working on,” he explained. “… When I’m going on my way to the gym, I would listen to the mixes of what we had been working on. As a producer, we do car checks for music.”

However, when he’s driving, he plays ’90s and 2000s hip-hop all the way.

“When I’m on the road, I honestly listen to old-school hip-hop stations,” he revealed. “I’m really liking ’90s-2000s. … Just something about the nostalgia of music that’s older. Brings back certain memories, and emotions, and feelings, and times. And it’s all hits from back in those days. I’d rather just listen to the oldies.”

However, Lil Jon has range. He noted that he listens to jazz in the morning and classical in the evenings with his daughter.

The rapper’s new album, ‘Remix Meditation,’ releases in October 2025

Lil Jon’s new album, Remix Meditation, releases on Oct. 30, 2025.

“When I first got into the meditation space, we recorded all of this stuff early on,” he told Showbiz Cheat Sheet about the upcoming album. “But, I didn’t want this to come out first because I didn’t want people to think it was a joke.”

So, what’s the album all about? According to the rapper, songs that fans know and love will be turned into meditations.

“I take ‘Get Low,’ ‘Turn Down For What,’ ‘Yeah!’, ‘Alive,’ just to name a few songs, and I turn them into meditations,” he explained. “If that came out first, people would be like, ‘Oh, yeah, this guy’s a joke. He ain’t really doing this for real.’ So, we held that one back. And the timing is right right now. We’re going to go ahead and release it.”

In addition to his new album, Lil Jon is preparing to perform at Australia’s annual concert series, Fridayz Live, in October. The series features Mariah Carey, Pitbull, and Wiz Khalifa, among others.

“This time, I have my own set,” Lil Jon said. “And, of course, my brother Pitbull is on the show. It’s always great to be on the road with Pitbull. … And then Mariah. … It’ll be awesome to see her on stage. I just feel blessed to be on the stage like this.”

So, what can Australia expect from the ‘Shots’ rapper?

“I’m gonna do what I do — I bring the energy, I bring the party, and I bring the fun,” he noted. “So, that’s what I’m gonna do in Australia.”

The ‘Turn Down for What’ rapper placed 3rd at the Venice Beach 2025 Muscle Beach Championship

Lil Jon debuted as a fitness competitor in 2025. He placed third at the 2025 Muscle Beach Championship at Venice Beach on Labor Day.

So, how does the rapper balance fitness and his career?

“It’s hard. It’s really hard,” he admitted. “I’m a really dedicated person. If I set my mind to do something, I’m gonna do it. Like, trying to eat right on the road, trying to get enough rest. … And get the workouts in! That’s the other part that’s hard.”

Lil Jon noted that finding balance remains key, though getting enough rest is hard.

“I wasn’t at my ideal place where I wanted to be with my body,” he said. “… I understand I have room for improvement. Bodybuilding is a constant process of sculpting and maintenance, and trying to get to the place you want to be.”

Ultimately, he wants to stay healthy and happy as he ages.

“Fifty-three years old and I want to be here until I’m 100 or something, or longer,” Lil Jon said. “Maybe I’ll be the longest living rapper ever at 120! Who knows?”

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