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Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, died on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Furthermore, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed that the 25-year-old was pronounced dead at 11:23 AM ET.
While the official cause of death remains under investigation, the news has sparked a massive wave of tributes from fans and fellow artists across the music industry.
Lil Poppa was a prominent figure in the Florida hip-hop scene and a key member of Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG) label.
He first gained national attention with his Under Investigation mixtape series and his 2021 debut album, Blessed, I Guess.
However, he displayed a melodic style and wrote introspective lyrics about his personal struggles and life in Jacksonville.
His death occurred just days after the release of his latest single, "Out of Town Bae," which dropped on February 13.
The rapper's passing has hit the Jacksonville community particularly hard. Local artists like Trap Beckham and Scy Jimm shared emotional messages on social media, calling him a "Duval Legend" and praising his authentic talent.
Lil Poppa recently completed his Almost Normal Again national tour and planned to perform in New Orleans next month.
After all, his music, including hits like "Love & War" and "Eternal Living," saw a significant surge in streaming as fans returned to his catalog to honor his memory.
Outside of his music career, Lil Poppa was a father to a young son, born in 2022 with Toie Roberts, the daughter of rapper Rick Ross.
He also struggled with sickle cell anemia and occasionally discussed the condition with his followers.
As the investigation into his death continues, his label and family have asked for privacy.
His impact on the "pain rap" subgenre ensures that his voice will remain a significant part of the Southern hip-hop landscape for years to come.
