Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25

The rising hip-hop star was signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Lil Poppa, a popular rapper from Jacksonville, Florida, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia confirmed that Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was pronounced dead on February 18, 2026. The cause of death has not yet been released.

Why it matters

Lil Poppa was a rising star in the hip-hop scene, signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group label. His recent album 'Almost Normal Again' and single 'Out of Town Bae' were gaining traction, and he was scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month, making his sudden passing at a young age particularly impactful.

The details

Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was a rapper based out of Jacksonville, Florida. He had released several hit tracks over the last few years, including 'Love & War,' 'Mind Over Matter,' and 'HAPPY TEARS.' His 16-song album 'Almost Normal Again' came out in August 2025, and he had just released a new single titled 'Out of Town Bae' the Friday before his death.

  • Lil Poppa was pronounced dead on February 18, 2026 at 11:23 AM ET.
  • His 16-song album 'Almost Normal Again' was released in August 2025.
  • Lil Poppa was scheduled to perform next month in New Orleans.

The players

Lil Poppa

A 25-year-old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who was signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group label.

Yo Gotti

The founder of Collective Music Group, the record label that Lil Poppa was signed to.

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The takeaway

The sudden passing of Lil Poppa, a rising young rapper with a promising career, is a tragic loss for the music industry and his fans. His untimely death at just 25 years old highlights the fragility of life and the need to cherish talented artists while they are still with us.