Florida rapper Lil Poppa, known for his emotionally charged lyrics and tireless dedication to his craft, has died at 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 would have turned 26 in just a few weeks.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office determined on Thursday, February 19, that Wheeler died by suicide, confirming the cause as a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Hapeville Police Chief Bruce Hedley stated that Wheeler had been in a single-car accident on Interstate 85, just south of Hapeville, shortly before his death. After the crash, he contacted his manager for advice—his car was still functional—and they agreed to meet in the parking lot of a nearby Hilton Hotel.
Once there, Wheeler remained seated in his car with the windows down, speaking with his manager through the glass. The specifics of their discussion are unknown. During the conversation, Wheeler produced a handgun and shot himself. An off-duty officer at the hotel called 911 immediately, and Wheeler was taken 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 widely respected for his introspective storytelling that resonated beyond his Northeast Florida beginnings. His discography included popular tracks such as “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS,” along with projects like “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—just 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 been slated to perform at a birthday celebration on March 21 at The Fillmore in New Orleans. Wheeler would have celebrated his 26th birthday on March 18.
Music producer Scotty OTH, who grew up with Wheeler and collaborated with him for more than five years, told NBC affiliate WTLV in Jacksonville that the rapper’s work ethic was unmatched. “I ain’t never seen nobody outwork Poppa,” Scotty OTH said. “Poppa is the last man standing in the studio.”
He described their bond as familial, saying they referred to each other as cousins. Their first collaboration came in 2018 or 2019, with “Forever Young” remaining one of their most cherished tracks together.
Photographer Terrence Tyson, who captured Wheeler’s growth from a local musician to a national figure, told the station that his death has devastated Jacksonville’s music community. Tyson met him early in his career and witnessed 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. His upbringing shaped the honest, vivid storytelling that defined his music. He had previously shared that he lived with sickle cell anemia, a chronic genetic blood disorder that caused intense pain and frequent hospital stays throughout his childhood. He spoke about his experiences in his 2021 documentary “Blessed, I Guess.”
His personal life also drew interest because of his relationship with Toie Roberts, daughter of hip-hop mogul Rick Ross. The two welcomed a son, PJ, in 2022, prompting Ross to call himself a “Gucci grandpa” online. Fans often observed that fatherhood added even more emotional depth to Wheeler’s later work.
Lil Poppa’s collaboration with Yo Gotti on the track “H Spot” became another major milestone in his career after joining Collective Music Group. The partnership expanded his reach within the hip-hop world while preserving the authenticity that initially drew listeners to him.
His breakthrough 2018 single “Purple Hearts,” inspired by his survival of a drive-by shooting in Jacksonville that killed two of his friends, cemented his reputation as a leading figure in what fans call “pain rap.” Unlike the dominant drill sound in his hometown, Wheeler’s melodic delivery and emotionally honest lyrics forged meaningful connections with listeners who saw their own lives in his music.
News of his death spread quickly across social media, with Lil Poppa trending as fans and fellow artists posted tributes. Rapper-comedian Lil Duval, who knew him growing up, shared a heartfelt message saying Jacksonville “all wanted him to win.” Great Day Records CEO Caroline “Baroline” Diaz, who A&R’d four of his Interscope projects, wrote: “My little brother is gone. Poppa I love you so much.”
Jacksonville’s music community—home to several nationally recognized rap artists in recent years—now grieves one of its brightest rising stars. Wheeler’s path from local act to CMG artist symbolized not only his personal achievements but also a broader win for many aspiring musicians in his city.
He leaves behind his son PJ, a heartbroken family, and a musical legacy that portrayed the struggles of street life, ambition, and endurance with unwavering sincerity.
