Lil Poppa, the Jacksonville rapper born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at 25.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed his death on February 18, 2026, with the cause and manner still under investigation at the time of the announcement. Details about where he died or what led up to it were not immediately made public.
Lil Poppa built a steady following out of Jacksonville with a melodic style that mixed street narratives with reflective, emotional writing. He first broke through with Purple Hearts and kept releasing music consistently, earning attention well beyond Florida. He later signed with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group, which helped expand his reach as he put out more projects and collaborations.
In the days leading up to the news, he had continued sharing music and updates with fans, adding to the sense of shock around his passing. Tributes from listeners and people in the hip-hop community began circulating online as the investigation continued.
