Jacksonville, FL: Southern hip-hop artist Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, has tragically passed away at the age of 25.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Lil Poppa had just released his latest single, Out of Town Bae, accompanied by a music video, mere days before his untimely passing.
Signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group, he was widely recognized for his candid, emotionally resonant storytelling, which transformed personal struggles into art that connected deeply with his audience.
Over the course of his career, Lil Poppa released more than ten albums and projects, including his most recent album, Almost Normal Again, launched in August 2025.
Tracks such as Love & War, Mind Over Matter, and Happy Tears reinforced his reputation as an artist unafraid to explore themes of love, loss, and mental health with honesty and vulnerability.
Fans took to social media in large numbers to pay tribute, highlighting how his music offered comfort during difficult moments.
In previous interviews, Lil Poppa expressed the weight of responsibility he felt toward his listeners, sharing that he was moved when fans conveyed how his music helped them navigate personal challenges.
Originally from Jacksonville, Lil Poppa began releasing music as a teenager. He gained significant recognition in 2018 with his independently released track Purple Hearts, inspired by the loss of a close friend.
That same year, his project Nightmare on Elm St further elevated his profile, amassing millions of views online and establishing him as a rising talent in Southern hip-hop.
Just before his death, he shared an Instagram Story set to Rod Wave’s Letting It Go, featuring the lyrics: “You know what happened / I know what happened / world never will,” a message that has now taken on a profound resonance for fans mourning his loss.
Lil Poppa was also scheduled to perform in New Orleans in March for his upcoming birthday. At the time of his passing, he had over 960,000 Instagram followers and more than 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Fans and peers continue to mourn the loss of the talented artist, celebrating his lyrical sincerity, soulful delivery, and the emotional impact of his music. One fan wrote, “Lil Poppa was super talented. Unfortunate to hear, RIP,” while another commented, “Damn… bro was the definition of pain music. Long live Lil Poppa.”
