Florida rapper Lil Poppa, whose emotionally raw lyrics and relentless work ethic earned him a devoted following, has died at age 25. The Jacksonville native, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. on Wednesday in Fulton County, Georgia, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was weeks away from his 26th birthday.
The cause and manner of death remain under investigation, with officials providing no additional details about the circumstances surrounding his passing. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.
Signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group in 2022, Lil Poppa had built a reputation for candid storytelling that resonated far beyond his Northeast Florida roots. His catalog included fan favorites “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS,” along with projects such as “Blessed, I Guess” and his “Under Investigation” mixtape series. His 16-song album “Almost Normal Again” dropped in August 2025, and he released the single “Out of Town Bae” on Thursday, February 13—just five days before his death.
The rapper’s final Instagram post, shared with his one million followers, announced the music video for “Out of Town Bae.” He had been scheduled to perform at his birthday bash on March 21 at The Fillmore in New Orleans—a celebration that will never happen. Wheeler would have turned 26 on March 18.
Music producer Scotty OTH, who grew up with Wheeler and created songs alongside him for over five years, told NBC affiliate WTLV of Jacksonville that the artist’s dedication set him apart. “I ain’t never seen nobody outwork Poppa,” Scotty OTH said. “Poppa is the last man standing in the studio.”
The producer described their relationship as family, noting they called each other cousins. Their first collaboration came in 2018 or 2019, with “Forever Young” standing out as one of their favorite creations together.
Photographer Terrence Tyson, who documented Lil Poppa’s rise from local artist to nationally recognized talent, told the station that the death has stunned Jacksonville’s music community. Tyson met Wheeler at the beginning of his career and watched him transform obstacles into opportunities. “When he made it, it felt like everyone made it,” Tyson said.
Wheeler grew up on the Eastside of Jacksonville in the Evergreen neighborhood, where his experiences shaped the authentic narratives that defined his music. He had previously opened up about suffering from sickle cell anemia, a chronic genetic blood disorder that causes severe pain and required frequent hospitalization throughout his childhood. He discussed his health struggles in his 2021 documentary “Blessed, I Guess.”
The rapper’s personal life also drew public attention through his relationship with Toie Roberts, daughter of hip-hop mogul Rick Ross. The couple welcomed a son, PJ, in 2022—prompting Ross to declare himself a “Gucci grandpa” on social media. Fans noted that fatherhood seemed to deepen the emotional resonance in Wheeler’s later work.
Lil Poppa’s collaboration with Yo Gotti on the single “H Spot” marked another career highlight after joining Collective Music Group. The partnership elevated his profile within the hip-hop industry and connected him with a broader audience while maintaining the authentic voice that first attracted listeners.
His 2018 breakout single “Purple Hearts”—written after he survived a drive-by shooting in Jacksonville—established him as one of the most distinctive voices in what fans call “pain rap.” Unlike the aggressive drill music that dominated his hometown’s scene, Wheeler’s melodic delivery and vulnerable lyrics created genuine connections with listeners who saw their own struggles reflected in his words.
News of his death spread rapidly across social media, with Lil Poppa trending as fans and fellow artists shared tributes. Rapper-comedian Lil Duval, who knew Wheeler since childhood, posted an emotional tribute noting that Jacksonville “all wanted him to win.” Great Day Records CEO Caroline “Baroline” Diaz, who A&R’d four of his projects at Interscope, wrote: “My little brother is gone. Poppa I love you so much.”
The Jacksonville music scene, which has produced several nationally recognized rap artists in recent years, now mourns one of its brightest talents. Wheeler’s trajectory from local performer to CMG signee represented not just individual success but validation for an entire community of artists working to be heard.
As investigators work to determine what led to his death in Atlanta, fans across the country remember Lil Poppa for the authenticity he brought to every track. His catalog stands as a testament to an artist who refused to compromise his voice, even as his platform grew larger.
The rapper leaves behind his son PJ, a grieving family, and a body of work that captured the complexities of street life, ambition, and survival with unflinching honesty.
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