Jacksonville Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25
Rising hip‑hop artist Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed that he was pronounced dead on February 18, 2026, at approximately 11:23 a.m. Eastern Time. Officials have not yet released an official cause of death.See More…

Lil Poppa emerged from the Jacksonville music scene and built a devoted fanbase with his emotionally candid style and melodic flow. Over his career, he amassed hundreds of millions of streams on platforms such as Spotify, driven by projects like Almost Normal Again and singles including “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS.” 
Just five days before his death, Lil Poppa released a new single titled “Out of Town Bae,” and fans had been anticipating more music and live shows in 2026. A performance at The Fillmore in New Orleans was scheduled for March but will no longer take place in light of his passing. 
His label, Collective Music Group (CMG) — founded by Yo Gotti — had signed him and helped him reach a broader audience, and he was in the midst of working on upcoming material at the time of his death. 
Fans and fellow artists have expressed shock and grief across social media platforms, sharing memories and tributes. Many have pointed to his recent music and growing popularity as signs that he was in a creative and career‑building phase of his life when he died. 
At just 25, Lil Poppa’s sudden death has left a significant impact on the hip‑hop community, with many awaiting further details from authorities and statements from his team and family.
Leave a Reply