Lil Poppa, the Jacksonville rapper whose music often sounded like pages from his own diary, has died. He was 25.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia confirmed that the promising rapper was pronounced dead on February 18, 2026. As of now, his cause of death has not been made public, per TMZ.
For many fans, the news felt unreal. Poppa built his reputation on honesty. He didn’t hide behind flashy hooks or empty lines — He rapped about real situations, real losses, and real pressure. That raw style helped him grow a strong online following, with more than 900,000 followers on Instagram and 783,000 subscribers on YouTube.
His career gained real momentum when the artist signed with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group. He then delivered tracks like Love & War, Mind Over Matter, and HAPPY TEARS.
He was even scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month.
Poppa is survived by his parents, his girlfriend, and his young son. Let’s know more about his family background!
Who Are His Parents?
Lil Poppa was born Janarious Mykel Wheeler on March 18, 2000, in Jacksonville, Florida.
The name “Lil Poppa” wasn’t random. It came straight from home. In an interview, the late young star once explained that it was a tribute to his father. “My daddy name Poppa… everybody used to call him Poppa,” He said.
After his passing, his mother shared an emotional message online. She wrote, pouring out her grief, “Lord I need you I no that this is just a test you say you will not put no more on us then we can bear Jesus!! I need you 24 hours a day i thank you.”
Her words quickly drew support. Fans filled the comments with prayers and messages of sympathy.
He Had a Son With His Girlfriend
Away from the stage, Lil Poppa was a father.
The Florida rapper had one confirmed child, a son named PJ, who is also referred to as Kofi J’nar. And PJ’s mother is Toie Roberts, an entrepreneur and the daughter of Rick Ross. Born on March 17, 2002, Toie is the CEO of Ashanti Beauty and has built her own presence in the business world.
Although their relationship was largely kept off social media, Poppa made it clear that fatherhood changed him. He frequently described his son as his biggest reason to stay focused and keep pushing forward. The responsibility of providing, protecting, and setting an example became part of his drive.
