Jacksonville Rapper Lil Poppa Dead At 25
Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25, leaving fans and the music community in shock. His death was confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia, where he was pronounced dead on February 18, 2026 at 11:23 a.m. ET; however, authorities have not yet released an official cause of death and an investigation is underway.
Lil Poppa emerged from Jacksonville, Florida’s vibrant rap scene with a distinctive voice that blended raw street narratives with emotional vulnerability. Born in 2000, he began writing music as a child and rose to prominence with tracks like “Purple Hearts”, “Love & War”, “Mind Over Matter” and “HAPPY TEARS.”
Signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) in partnership with Interscope Records, Lil Poppa built a devoted following and a growing catalog of music that resonated with listeners across the United States. His 2021 debut album Blessed, I Guess and his most recent project Almost Normal Again - released in August 2025 - showcased his evolution as an artist, blending introspective lyricism with melodic intensity.
Just days before his death, Lil Poppa released a new single titled “Out of Town Bae,” and was scheduled to perform this spring in New Orleans - plans now tragically unrealized.
Fans, fellow artists and industry figures have flocked to social media to share tributes and memories of the rising star. Many praised his lyrical authenticity and the emotional honesty with which he approached his craft, noting that his music had a therapeutic impact on listeners and solidified his place in modern hip-hop.
The sudden loss of Lil Poppa at such a young age has sparked an outpouring of grief across social platforms, with many highlighting the void left behind by an artist who had become a voice for his community.
As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing, tributes to Lil Poppa’s life and work are likely to grow, cementing his legacy within the hip-hop world and beyond.
