Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25
Rapper Lil Poppa died in Atlanta at age 25, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow artists. Details surrounding his death are still emerging as the hip-hop community mourns the loss.
- The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the rapper's death a suicide, caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. - Born Janarious Mykel Wheeler in Jacksonville, Florida, he began rapping in church as a child before gaining viral attention with his 2018 single "Purple Hearts." The song reflected on the fatal shooting of two of his close friends. - At the time of his death, Lil Poppa was signed to Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group (CMG), which is also home to artists like GloRilla and Moneybagg Yo. The label released a statement promising to honor his legacy. - Just days before his death, he had released a new single titled "Out of Town Bae." His most recent album, "Almost Normal Again," was released in August 2025. - Tributes have come from across the music industry, with artists like Boosie Badazz, Mozzy, and Yungeen Ace sharing their condolences online. - His 2021 debut studio album, "Blessed, I Guess," and the 2022 mixtape, "Under Investigation 3," both charted on the Billboard 200. - Before his passing, Lil Poppa had amassed more than 247 million streams on Spotify alone, building a significant following for his emotionally candid lyrics. - He was scheduled to perform at a "Birthday Bash" show in New Orleans in March.
