Florida Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25

The rising star, signed to Yo Gotti's CMG label, passed away on February 18th.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Lil Poppa, a 25-year-old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida, has died according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. The rising artist, who was signed to Yo Gotti's CMG label in 2022, had been building a name for himself in the hip-hop scene with collaborations alongside artists like Polo G, Mozzy, and Toosii. Poppa's cause of death remains under investigation at this time.

Why it matters

Lil Poppa's passing is a tragic loss for the hip-hop community, as he was considered a promising young talent with a bright future. His collaborations with established artists showcased his potential, and his two Billboard 200 entries demonstrated his growing fanbase. The circumstances surrounding his death have sparked an outpouring of support and tributes from his peers.

The details

Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, had recently released a new single called "Out of Town Bae" on February 13th. He had also been on tour in late 2025 and had a Birthday Bash show scheduled for March in New Orleans. Poppa's label head, Caroline 'Baroline' Diaz, who worked with him at the start of his career, expressed her grief over his passing, calling him her "little brother" and saying she is "so broken" over the loss.

  • Lil Poppa died on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • He had released a new single called "Out of Town Bae" on February 13, 2026.
  • Poppa was scheduled to perform at a Birthday Bash show in New Orleans in March 2026.

The players

Lil Poppa

A 25-year-old rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who was signed to Yo Gotti's CMG label in 2022 and had been building a name for himself in the hip-hop scene with collaborations alongside artists like Polo G, Mozzy, and Toosii.

Caroline 'Baroline' Diaz

The CEO of Great Day Records, who worked with Lil Poppa in the early stages of his career and expressed grief over his passing, calling him her "little brother".

Yo Gotti

The rapper and record executive who signed Lil Poppa to his CMG label in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R'ed 4 of his projects. I'm so sad right now...........”

— Caroline 'Baroline' Diaz, CEO, Great Day Records (X)

What’s next

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office is currently investigating the cause of Lil Poppa's death.

The takeaway

The passing of Lil Poppa at just 25 years old is a tragic loss for the hip-hop community, as he was considered a rising talent with a bright future ahead of him. His collaborations with established artists and chart success demonstrated his growing fanbase, making his sudden death all the more devastating for his peers and supporters.