American rapper Lil Poppa, whose real name is Janarious Wheeler, has died at the age of 25.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner in Georgia confirmed Wheeler’s death on Wednesday February 18, 2026, at around 11:20 a.m. local time, and the cause of the death is currently under investigation.

The rapper released his new single “Out of Town Bae”, only five days before his death on Friday, Febuary 13, 2026.

He was scheduled to perform in New Orleans in March for his next performance

Lil Poppa ultimately signed to “No Fake Love” rapper Yo Gotti’s Collection Music Group imprints, which also features the Grammy – nominated breakout star GloRilla.

The industrious young musician scored his biggest hit in 2021 with “Love & War”. A highlight from the same year’s Blessed, I Guess, Lil Poppa raps on “Love & War” about a crush with whom he wants to share “how I’m feeling”, but battles with the urge to protect her from “all these rockies” who are killing up the innocent”.