Rapper Lil Poppa Passes Away at Age 25, Death Under Investigation
The music world is in mourning following the tragic death of rapper Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, at just 25 years old. Billboard reported the heartbreaking news, which was officially confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday.
Jacksonville Artist's Death Sparks Outpouring of Grief
Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Lil Poppa's sudden passing has left fans and the hip-hop community reeling. While the specific cause of death remains unknown at this time, authorities have confirmed that the matter is currently under active investigation.
Since the news broke, there has been an overwhelming flood of support and emotional tributes from Lil Poppa's dedicated fanbase and numerous colleagues within the music industry. Fellow rappers including Dej Loaf, Mozzy, and Nardo Wick have all expressed their condolences and shared memories of the young artist.
Heartfelt Tributes from Industry Insiders
Caroline "Baroline" Diaz, CEO of Great Day Records, took to social media platform X to share her profound grief. "My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken," she wrote emotionally. "One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R'ed 4 of his projects. I'm so sad right now."
Comedian and musician Lil Duval added his voice to the chorus of mourning, highlighting Lil Poppa's deep roots in the Jacksonville community. "This one really hurt me cuz i really cared about lil poppa," Duval expressed. "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."
Rising Career and Recent Projects
Lil Poppa had been building an impressive career trajectory in recent years. The rapper signed to Yo Gotti's prestigious CMG label in 2022, marking a significant milestone in his musical journey. Over his career, he collaborated with numerous notable artists including:
- Yo Gotti
- Polo G
- Rylo Rodriguez
- Toossi
- Mozzy
- Seddy Hendrix
- Yungeen Ace
Earlier this month, Lil Poppa unveiled his latest single titled 'Out of Town Bae,' demonstrating his continued creative output. According to Billboard reports, the rapper had been actively touring in late 2025 and was scheduled to perform at the upcoming Birthday Bash show in March of this year.
The sudden loss of this promising young talent has created a significant void in the hip-hop community, particularly in his hometown of Jacksonville where he was widely recognized as a rising star with genuine authenticity and musical promise.
