Rapper Lil Poppa dies at age 25

Lil Poppa has passed away

• Rapper Lil Poppa dies at 25, cause of death under investigation
• Fans and artists pay tribute to Lil Poppa on social media
• Lil Poppa recently released "Out of Town Bae" and toured in 2025

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Rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, passed away at the age of 25. The cause of his death is yet unknown, but an investigation is underway.

According to Billboard, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office verified the rapper's death on Wednesday. He was from Jacksonville.

Lil Poppa's fans and industry colleagues, including rappers Dej Loaf, Mozzy, and Nardo Wick, have showered him with love and tributes since the news broke.

Great Day Records CEO Caroline "Baroline" Diaz took to X and tweeted, "My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R'ed 4 of his projects. I'm so sad right now."

My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R’ed 4 of his projects. I’m so sad right now……..

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— BAROLINE (@Barolinnne) February 18, 2026

Comedian and musician Lil Duval also paid tribute to the rapper and wrote, "This one really hurt me cuz i really cared about lil poppa. Most of us in Jacksonville knew him since he was a kid. And we all wanted him to win and he was. Cuz once the drill music died done he was the only one left standing. And he deserved it cuz He was really who all these other YN rappers wanted to be in Jacksonville. Even his enemies was his fans first."

this one really hurt me cuz i really cared about lil poppa. Most of us in Jacksonville knew him since he was a kid. And we all wanted him to win and he was. Cuz once the drill music died done he was the only one left standing. And he deserved it cuz He was really who all these… pic.twitter.com/grFnML1CZf — lil duval (@lilduval) February 18, 2026

Since joining Yo Gotti's CMG label in 2022, Lil Poppa has collaborated with Gotti, Polo G, Rylo Rodriguez, Toossi, Mozzy, Seddy Hendrix, and Yungeen Ace on several occasions.

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He released his track "Out of Town Bae" earlier this month. According to Billboard, the rapper was scheduled to perform at the Birthday Bash performance in March of this year after going on tour in late 2025.