View gallery Image Credit: Getty Images Jacksonville, Florida, rapper Lil Poppa (real name: Janarious Mykel Wheeler) died on February 18, 2026, according to a report from that day. As fans and peers in the music industry mourn his death, many are also wondering what caused it. Lil Poppa was only in his 20s and had no known health issues. Lil Poppa had signed with Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG) and released multiple successful songs over the past few years, including "Love & War" and "Mind Over Matter." Below, get updates on everything we know surrounding Lil Poppa's untimely death.