The death of Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa at 25 has stunned fans and the wider hip-hop community. Authorities confirmed that Janarious Mykel Wheeler, known professionally as Lil Poppa, died on 18 February 2025 in Georgia. News of the sudden loss has raised many questions, as the artist’s career appeared to be gaining strong momentum.
According to TMZ, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed that Lil Poppa was pronounced dead. Reports noted that Lil Poppa had a live show already scheduled for March 2026, highlighting how active the rapper’s plans were. Fans are now trying to understand what happened in the days before the tragedy.
Lil Poppa death: unanswered cause and official silence
So far, officials have not released the exact cause of Lil Poppa’s death. TMZ stated that authorities confirmed the death but shared no medical findings or further details. This lack of clarification has led to growing speculation online, while many supporters have expressed frustration and grief at the absence of clear information.
Unverified posts on social media have pushed several claims around Lil Poppa’s death, including suggestions of suicide. However, police, medical authorities and Lil Poppa’s family have not supported any of these rumours. Hindustan Times also reported that, despite ongoing chatter, there is still no verified evidence backing the circulating claims.
Lil Poppa death: health struggles and sickle cell anaemia
Some fans have connected Lil Poppa’s death to the rapper’s known health condition, sickle cell anaemia. Lil Poppa had previously spoken about living with the inherited blood disorder, which can cause severe pain and other health problems. The artist discussed these struggles in interviews and in the documentary titled Blessed, I Guess, making his health journey visible to audiences.
People close to the story have stressed that, despite public awareness of his sickle cell anaemia, there is still no confirmation linking it to Lil Poppa’s death. This gap has left followers searching for answers and raising concerns about hidden struggles. Many listeners have returned to his earlier comments, revisiting how he balanced illness, music and family responsibilities.
Lil Poppa death: final social media post and fan reactions
Attention has also turned to Lil Poppa’s last social media activity. In the final post, Lil Poppa quoted lyrics from the song Letting It Go and wrote: “Don’t wanna go to no club, no/ I just wanna chill/You know what happened/ I know what happened/ world never will.” Fans have described the message as troubling in hindsight.
One fan used the moment to urge others to care for people around them, writing: “Call your friends. Check up on your loved ones. We won’t stay with our loved ones forever. Life is too short to stop. RIP, Lil Poppa.” Many users echoed similar thoughts, highlighting mental health and emotional support in their tributes.
Lil Poppa death: career, music and growing recognition
Lil Poppa earned recognition in hip-hop for honest, emotional storytelling drawn from personal hardship. According to Billboard, Lil Poppa first built a following through independent releases. Later, Lil Poppa signed with Interscope Records and eventually joined Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG), expanding reach across the United States and beyond.
Much of Lil Poppa’s catalogue focused on everyday struggles, street realities and family pressure, which many listeners found relatable. Some of Lil Poppa’s most notable songs included Love & War, Mind Over Matter and HAPPY TEARS. These tracks helped cement Lil Poppa’s place among younger voices in rap, even before mainstream success had fully arrived.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janarious Mykel Wheeler |
| Stage name | Lil Poppa |
| Age at death | 25 |
| Date of death | 18 February 2025 |
| Labels | Interscope Records, Collective Music Group (CMG) |
| Known health condition | Sickle cell anaemia |
Lil Poppa death: relationship with Toie Roberts and family
Beyond music, Lil Poppa was known as a partner and parent. Lil Poppa was in a relationship with Toie Roberts, daughter of rapper Rick Ross. The couple kept their personal lives mostly private, but they welcomed a son, PJ, in 2022. Rick Ross publicly celebrated PJ’s birth on social media, acknowledging the new arrival.
Lil Poppa rarely discussed the relationship in detail, preferring to keep focus on work and parenting. Friends and followers have highlighted his commitment to raising PJ, even while touring and recording. At present, Lil Poppa is survived by girlfriend and baby mother, Toie Roberts, and son PJ, who are receiving condolences from across the music world.
Lil Poppa’s death has left a rising career unfinished, a young family grieving and many questions unresolved. Fans continue to revisit Lil Poppa’s songs, interviews and Blessed, I Guess to understand the person behind the music. While speculation continues, the only confirmed facts remain the date of death, official silence on cause and the lasting impact of Lil Poppa’s work.