Rising Jacksonville Rapper Lil Poppa Dies in Atlanta

Cause of death under investigation by authorities

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Janarious Wheeler, a 25-year-old rapper known as Lil Poppa, was found dead in Atlanta on Wednesday, February 18. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating the cause and manner of his death, which remains pending as of now.

Why it matters

Lil Poppa was a rising star in the Jacksonville rap scene, having built an extensive catalog of projects over the past several years. His sudden death at a young age is a tragic loss for the local music community.

The details

Wheeler, a Black male from Jacksonville, had remained active in his music career in the weeks leading up to his death. Just last week, he released a music video for his single "Out of Town Bae" and was preparing for a birthday bash scheduled for March 21 at the Fillmore in New Orleans. Authorities have not released details about where Wheeler died or the circumstances surrounding his death.

  • Janarious Wheeler died on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • An examination by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Janarious Wheeler

A 25-year-old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida known by his stage name Lil Poppa.

Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office

The office responsible for investigating the cause and manner of Janarious Wheeler's death.

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What’s next

The Medical Examiner's Office said more information could be made available once the examination is complete and the investigation advances.

The takeaway

The sudden death of a rising young rapper like Lil Poppa is a tragic loss for the local music community, and underscores the fragility of life. Fans and fellow artists will be awaiting the results of the investigation to understand what happened.