Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25 After Lifelong Battle with Sickle Cell Anemia

The rising star had openly discussed his chronic health condition in his music before his sudden passing.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, tragically passed away at the age of 25 on February 18, 2025. The Fulton County Medical Examiner confirmed his death but did not provide an official cause. Poppa had been living with sickle cell anemia, a serious and often debilitating blood disorder, which he had referenced in his music. The Jacksonville native had built a promising career, amassing over 600,000 monthly Spotify listeners and nearly 1 million Instagram followers before his untimely demise.

Why it matters

Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans, leading to chronic pain, organ damage, and a shortened life expectancy. Poppa's death shines a light on the ongoing challenges faced by those living with this illness and the need for greater awareness and medical advancements to support the sickle cell community.

The details

Poppa, who was born in 2000, had been making music since the age of 12, building a makeshift studio in his bedroom closet. His 2018 single "Purple Hearts" gained over 2.3 million views on YouTube, helping launch his career. Over the next several years, he released multiple albums on his own Collective Music Group label, covering topics like love, mental health, and his sickle cell diagnosis. Just five days before his death, Poppa had released a new single called "Out of Town Bae."

  • Poppa was born on March 18, 2000.
  • At age 12, he began making music in his bedroom closet.
  • In 2018, his single "Purple Hearts" gained over 2.3 million YouTube views.
  • Poppa released a new single called "Out of Town Bae" on February 13, 2025.
  • Poppa passed away on February 18, 2025 at the age of 25.

The players

Lil Poppa

A rising rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who passed away at the age of 25 after a lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia.

Janarious Mykel Wheeler

Lil Poppa's real name.

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What they’re saying

“F*** the fame I won't ever change don't want my name in the press, My therapist asked how I been feeling between insane and depressed I can't lie I'm traumatized from putting angels to rest, Daddy blood sickly child I gotta deal with my health, I can't believe it was a time I thought bout killing myself.”

— Lil Poppa, Rapper (Lyrics from his 2021 track "Blessed, I Guess")

What’s next

The Fulton County Medical Examiner is expected to release Lil Poppa's official cause of death in the coming days.

The takeaway

Lil Poppa's tragic passing at just 25 years old highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease, a genetic condition that disproportionately impacts the Black community. His openness about his health struggles in his music shines a light on the need for greater awareness, research, and support for this debilitating illness.