Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia confirmed his death on February 18, 2026, at 11:23 AM ET. The cause of death is currently under investigation. (tmz.com)
Lil Poppa began his music career at the age of seven, initially writing for his church before transitioning to secular music. He gained prominence in 2018 with the release of "Purple Hearts," a song reflecting on surviving a shooting in his hometown. This track was featured on his mixtape "Under Investigation," leading to a contract with Interscope Records. In 2021, he released his debut album, "Blessed, I Guess," which delved into the complexities of sudden fame. Later, he joined Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG), home to artists like Moneybagg Yo and GloRilla. His most recent album, "Almost Normal Again," was released in August 2025. (pitchfork.com)
Just days before his passing, Lil Poppa released a new single titled "Out of Town Bae" on February 13, 2026. He was also scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month. (tmz.com)
In his personal life, Lil Poppa had a son named PJ, born in June 2022, with Toie Roberts, the eldest daughter of rapper Rick Ross. The couple's relationship status was private, but they were known to co-parent their child. (m.economictimes.com)
The hip-hop community and fans have expressed profound grief over his sudden death, highlighting his impact on the music scene and the loss of a promising talent.