Florida rapper Lil Poppa, known for his emotionally honest lyrics and tireless dedication to his craft, has died at 25. The Jacksonville-born artist, whose real name was 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 would have turned 26 in just a few weeks.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office determined on Thursday, February 19, that Wheeler’s death was a suicide, confirming he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Hapeville Police Chief Bruce Hedley reported that Wheeler had been in a single-car crash on Interstate 85, just south of Hapeville, Georgia, shortly before he died. After the crash, Wheeler contacted his manager for advice—his vehicle was still operable—and they arranged to meet in the parking lot of a nearby Hilton Hotel.
When they met, Wheeler remained inside his car, speaking to his manager through the open windows. What they discussed is still unknown. During the conversation, Wheeler pulled out a handgun and shot himself. An off-duty officer working security at the hotel called 911 immediately, and Wheeler was transported to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m.
Signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group in 2022, Lil Poppa became known for his unfiltered storytelling, which resonated far beyond Northeast Florida. His catalog featured songs like “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS,” along with projects such as “Blessed, I Guess” and his “Under Investigation” mixtape series. His 16-track album “Almost Normal Again” was released in August 2025, and he dropped the single “Out of Town Bae” on Thursday, February 13—five days before he died.
His final Instagram post, shared with his one million followers, promoted the music video for “Out of Town Bae.” He had also been scheduled to perform at a birthday celebration on March 21 at The Fillmore in New Orleans. Wheeler would have turned 26 on March 18.
Music producer Scotty OTH, a longtime friend who collaborated with Wheeler for more than five years, told NBC affiliate WTLV in Jacksonville that Wheeler’s relentless drive 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 bond as familial, explaining that they called each other cousins. Their first collaboration occurred in 2018 or 2019, with “Forever Young” remaining one of their most cherished creations.
Photographer Terrence Tyson, who documented Lil Poppa’s evolution from a local act to a nationally recognized artist, told the station that the loss has deeply affected Jacksonville’s music community. Tyson met Wheeler early in his career and watched him turn hardships into momentum. “When he made it, it felt like everyone made it,” Tyson said.
Wheeler was raised on Jacksonville’s Eastside in the Evergreen neighborhood, and those experiences played a key role in shaping the sincere storytelling present in his music. He had previously discussed living with sickle cell anemia, a hereditary blood disorder that caused severe pain and required numerous hospital visits throughout his childhood. He explored those health struggles in his 2021 documentary “Blessed, I Guess.”
His personal life also gained attention through his relationship with Toie Roberts, daughter of hip-hop icon Rick Ross. The couple welcomed a son, PJ, in 2022, prompting Ross to joke on social media that he was now a “Gucci grandpa.” Many fans felt that fatherhood added even deeper emotional layers to Wheeler’s later music.
Lil Poppa’s collaboration with Yo Gotti on the track “H Spot” became another milestone following his signing to Collective Music Group. The partnership broadened his visibility within the hip-hop world while allowing him to maintain the authenticity that first drew listeners in.
His 2018 breakout track, “Purple Hearts,” written after he survived a drive-by shooting in Jacksonville that claimed the lives of two friends, established him as a powerful voice in what fans call “pain rap.” Unlike the aggressive drill sound dominating Jacksonville at the time, Wheeler’s melodic style and emotionally open lyrics forged deep connections with fans who saw their own hardships reflected in his work.
News of his death spread quickly across social platforms, with Lil Poppa trending as fans and artists shared their condolences. Rapper-comedian Lil Duval, who had known Wheeler since childhood, posted a heartfelt tribute saying Jacksonville “all wanted him to win.” Great Day Records CEO Caroline “Baroline” Diaz, who worked on four of his Interscope projects, wrote: “My little brother is gone. Poppa I love you so much.”
Jacksonville’s thriving rap scene, which has produced several nationally recognized artists in recent years, now mourns the loss of one of its most promising voices. Wheeler’s rise—from local performer to CMG signee—represented not only his personal success but a moment of pride for an entire community striving for recognition.
He leaves behind his son PJ, a grieving family, and a legacy of music that portrayed the realities of street life, aspiration, and perseverance with unwavering sincerity.
