Rapper Lil Poppa dies at 25: Fans share heartfelt tributes

Lil Poppa, the rapper from Jacksonville, Fla., has passed away just days after dropping a fresh track.

The 25-year-old musician was declared dead at 11:23am ET on Wednesday, as reported by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia saying to TMZ. The cause of his passing remains undisclosed.

According to sources, Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was due to perform in New Orleans in March.

According to TMZ, Rapper Lil Poppa, seen here performing in Atlanta in December 2024, has died. WireImage

On Friday, he released his latest song, “Out Of Town Bae,” and posted the music video on Instagram the same day. Lil Poppa is widely recognized for his hit “Love & War.”

This talented artist was signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group, with a collection of over 10 albums and projects. His latest, "Almost Normal Again," came out in August 2025.

Once the news circulated on social platforms, followers expressed their shock on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

One fan commented, “No way Lil Poppa is gone,” while someone else added, “Man, I can’t believe this about Lil Poppa.”

“Lil Poppa has a song that fits every kind of emotion,” said another, with someone else noting, “Lil Poppa’s passing affected the whole city.”

Another admirer said, “RIP Lil Poppa, one of the standout talents of our time.” They added, “His album and this track, in particular, are among the finest in the past few years. So much talent, so young—it’s really affecting me.”