Lil Poppa, the Jacksonville-born rapper born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his passing on February 18. An autopsy is scheduled, and the cause of death remains under investigation. News of his death has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community and among his devoted fanbase.
Poppa had just released his latest single, “Out of Town Bae,” days before his passing. Signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group in 2022, he built a reputation for melodic street narratives and emotionally direct songwriting. Over the years, he collaborated with artists including Gotti, Mozzy, Nardo Wick and others, steadily expanding his reach beyond Florida.
Throughout his career, Lil Poppa earned two entries on the Billboard 200 with ‘Blessed, I Guess’ and ‘Under Investigation 3.’ His project ‘Heavy Is The Head’ reached No. 4 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. His music often explored themes of growth, pain and ambition, connecting deeply with listeners who saw their own stories reflected in his lyrics.
Tributes quickly poured in from peers and industry figures, including Dej Loaf, Mozzy and Nardo Wick, who shared messages honoring his life and artistry. With tour dates planned and new music emerging, Lil Poppa’s passing marks a sudden and heartbreaking loss for hip-hop.