Florida rapper Lil Poppa has died aged 25.
TMZ reports that the rapper (real name Janarious Mykel Wheeler) was pronounced dead yesterday (February 18) around 11:20am local time. His cause of death is currently under investigation.
Now, a number of musicians and industry figures have shared their tributes to the rapper. Lil Duval wrote that he had known Wheeler since he was a child, adding: “Most of us in Jacksonville knew him since he was a kid. And we all wanted him to win and he was. Cuz once the drill music died done he was the only one left standing. And he deserved it cuz He was really who all these other YN rappers wanted to be in Jacksonville.”
Meanwhile, Boosie Badazz posted a tribute video to Wheeler, saying: “T.I.P: Thug in peace to Lil Poppa, man”. Great Day Records CEO Caroline ‘Baroline’ Diaz also wrote on X/Twitter: “My little brother is gone. Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R’ed 4 of his projects. I’m so sad right now.”
Take a look at more tributes for Lil Poppa down below:
this one really hurt me cuz i really cared about lil poppa. Most of us in Jacksonville knew him since he was a kid. And we all wanted him to win and he was. Cuz once the drill music died done he was the only one left standing. And he deserved it cuz He was really who all these… pic.twitter.com/grFnML1CZf
— lil duval (@lilduval) February 18, 2026
Atlanta femcee Pluto breaks down in tears after learning about Yo Gotti’s CMG artist Lil Poppa’s passing pic.twitter.com/EEm9HGzyz6
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) February 18, 2026
Boosie reacts to the passing of Lil Poppa pic.twitter.com/gtdntOKOt7
— SAY CHEESE! (@SaycheeseDGTL) February 18, 2026
YFG Fatso speaks on Lil Poppa passing away.
“I do 8 (30’s) a day we know we gone die.” pic.twitter.com/xDSX3bSGcx
— SAY CHEESE! (@SaycheeseDGTL) February 19, 2026
My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R’ed 4 of his projects. I’m so sad right now……..
— BAROLINE (@Barolinnne) February 18, 2026
Wheeler was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on 18 March 2000. Though he has been releasing music since 2017, it was his ‘Under Investigation’ mixtape series that led to signing with record label Collective Music Group in 2022. The label was founded by Yo Gotti.
Following his signing, Wheeler would release the last of the ‘Under Investigation’ series, continuing to put out music including his last album, Almost Normal Again in August 2025. He has also previously supported fellow Floridian Rod Wave on his 2024 tour.
Wheeler released the song ‘Out Of Town Bae’ on February 13 – five days before his death.
He is survived by his three-year-old son.
The post Florida rapper Lil Poppa dead at 25 appeared first on NME.
