Jacksonville Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25

Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, died at age 25, officials confirmed Wednesday. The artist, born in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18, 2000, was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. Eastern Time on February 18 in Georgia, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. A cause of death has not been disclosed, and the matter remains under investigation.

News of Wheeler's passing first circulated on social media Tuesday, prompting widespread concern among fans before the medical examiner's confirmation. The 25-year-old had released his latest single, "Out of Town Bae," just five days earlier on February 13, sharing a music video on Instagram that same day. The track was gaining attention, following his most recent album, "Almost Normal Again," which dropped in August 2025 and featured 16 songs. Wheeler was also set to perform at the Fillmore in New Orleans on March 21, part of a planned show that fans had anticipated.

Wheeler built a dedicated following through his raw, introspective lyrics and melodic trap style, often drawing from personal struggles. He gained prominence with his "Under Investigation" mixtape series, which resonated...