Rapper Lil Poppa Passes Away at 25

The rising Southern star's sudden death leaves the hip-hop world in shock.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Rapper Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has died at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office in Georgia confirmed that the artist, who was signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG), was pronounced dead at 11:23 AM ET on February 18, 2026. While the cause of death has not been immediately released, the news has left many fans searching for answers, especially considering Lil Poppa's recent musical activity and upcoming performance plans.

Why it matters

Lil Poppa was a rising star in the hip-hop world, with a growing fanbase and a promising career ahead of him. His sudden and unexpected passing at such a young age is a tragic loss for the music community and his fans, who were eagerly anticipating his continued success.

The details

Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was a rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who was signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG). He had recently released a 16-song album titled "Almost Normal Again" in August 2025 and a new single called "Out of Town Bae" just last Friday. The artist was also scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month, indicating that he was entering a new phase of his career.

  • Lil Poppa passed away on February 18, 2026 at 11:23 AM ET.
  • He released his album "Almost Normal Again" in August 2025.
  • He released his single "Out of Town Bae" on February 17, 2026.

The players

Lil Poppa

A 25-year-old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who was signed to Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG) and was considered a rising star in the hip-hop world.

Yo Gotti

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

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What’s next

More details on the cause of Lil Poppa's death are expected to be released by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.

The takeaway

The sudden and unexpected passing of Lil Poppa at just 25 years old is a tragic loss for the hip-hop community. As a rising star with a promising career, his death has left many fans and fellow artists in shock, and has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.