Lil Poppa
Lil Poppa | |
|---|---|
Wheeler in 2026 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | That Boy Poppa |
| Born | Janarious Mykel Wheeler March 18, 2000 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | February 18, 2026 (aged 25) Fulton County, Georgia, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2014–2026 |
| Labels |
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| Website | lilpoppa |
Janarious Mykel Wheeler (March 18, 2000 – February 18, 2026), better known by his stage name Lil Poppa, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence with his 2018 song "Purple Hearts". He was also known for his songs "Eternal Living" (2019) and "Love & War" (2021), with the former receiving gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Lil Poppa signed with Interscope Records in 2019. His debut album, Blessed, I Guess (2021), entered the Billboard 200 and received positive critical reception. Lil Poppa signed with Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG) record label in 2022 and released several more projects. He performed on "Big League", the theme song of the 2022 NBA Finals, with his fellow CMG artists.
According to SiriusXM, Lil Poppa's music "balanc[ed] tales of violence and retribution with loyalty to his loved ones, regret for his missteps, and the desperation to create a better life for himself."[1] It was later described in HotNewHipHop as an "undeniably riveting sound that relie[d] on the brute honesty that he mask[ed] through his melodic delivery."[2] In 2025, the same publication described Lil Poppa as "one of rap’s most introspective storytellers."[3]
Early life
Wheeler was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18, 2000.[4] He grew up alternating between his mother's house on the Eastside of Jacksonville and his grandma and aunt’s house on the Westside.[5] Wheeler was occasionally bedridden as a result of a chronic blood disease.[5] He was nicknamed "Poppa" by his mother and added "Lil" since he often hung around older kids.[5]
Wheeler started writing music for his church at the age of seven, being inspired by his oldest brother Chi Chi.[5][6] By age 10, he was performing his raps in church.[6] Wheeler then built a makeshift studio in his closet when he was 12 and started recording music with a laptop and Radio Shack microphone,[7] with his musical influences including rappers Bow Wow, Chief Keef, and Kodak Black.[8]
Growing up in Jacksonville, Wheeler survived a shooting in which two of his best friends were killed.[2][6]
Career
2014–2018: Beginnings
In his youth, Lil Poppa was a member of Cutt Circle, a popular local rap group in Jacksonville composed of older artists.[9] He was featured on their most popular song, "Lions, Tigers, and Bears", released in 2014.[9][10] Lil Poppa began uploading his own music to websites like SoundCloud and MyMixtapez.[11] He caught the attention of Bigga Rankin, a prominent local DJ who began to sponsor his mixtapes and help him promote his music, significantly boosting his profile.[5] Initially using the stage name That Boy Poppa, his early mixtape releases included Est. 2000 (2016) and Life After Desi (2017).[12][13] He followed up with a seven-track extended play (EP) called "Evergreen Wildchild" (2018).[14][15]
Later that year, Lil Poppa released a mixtape titled Under Investigation, which, according Complex, "sent his stock through the roof."[9] The mixtape spawned two successful singles: "Nightmare on Elm St" and "Purple Hearts".[9] In the latter, Lil Poppa recounts the emotions he felt surviving the 2018 shooting; XXL described it as a "somber audio diary" and "a showcase of [his] melody-driven delivery and storytelling chops".[6][9] Aside from becoming popular locally, the song and its accompanying music video caught the attention of major record labels.[6]
2019–2021: Signing with Interscope, Blessed, I Guess
Lil Poppa signed with Interscope Records in 2019.[6] That same year, he released his major label debut mixtape, Under Investigation 2, which included his hit single "Eternal Living" (featuring Polo G), as well as additional guest appearances from Mozzy and NoCap.[9][16] Lil Poppa followed this up with another mixtape, Almost Normal.[6] In May 2020, he released another mixtape, Evergreen Wildchild 2, which featured Stunna 4 Vegas.[6]
Lil Poppa released his debut studio album, Blessed, I Guess, in May 2021. It received a 7.3 rating in Pitchfork and was called a "conflicted, compelling release" by David Crone of AllMusic, who also praised his "potent songwriting".[17][18] According to Audiomack, it "prize[d] subtlety over sweeping statements and zoom[ed] in on [his] carefully considered, sometimes conflicted thoughts".[5] The album peaked at No. 160 on the Billboard 200.[19] One of the songs on the album, "Love & War", later received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2026.[20]
2022–2026: Signing with CMG and subsequent releases
In April 2022, Lil Poppa signed with Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group (CMG), an imprint of Interscope.[21] The two commemorated the deal by releasing a collaborative single, "H Spot", along with a corresponding music video.[22] A week later, Lil Poppa released the 21-track mixtape Under Investigation 3, which featured guest appearances from Yo Gotti and Lil Duval.[23][24] The mixtape, which peaked at No. 194 on the Billboard 200 in May,[19] was described as "another showcase for [his] fluid, fast-paced melodic flow and violent, tormented lyrics" in a staff review by AllMusic.[25] Shortly thereafter, Lil Poppa was featured on the single "Big League", which served as the official theme song of the 2022 NBA Finals, alongside Yo Gotti and fellow CMG artists Mozzy and Moneybagg Yo.[26] He also co-headlined the Wicked Wildchild United Summer Bash at the Florida Theatre with fellow Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick.[27]
Lil Poppa released another album, titled Heavy is the Head, in November 2022,[28] which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.[19] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork wrote that it was "driven by haunted blues and clear-eyed reflections", adding that Lil Poppa "zooms in on specifics that make his lyrics feel alive, subverting cliche through real human emotion".[28]
Lil Poppa released the album Almost Normal Again, a sequel to his 2019 mixtape Almost Normal, in 2025, the same time as his first headlining tour. According to HotNewHipHop, the album "deepen[ed] his reputation as one of rap's most introspective storytellers."[3] On February 13, 2026, Lil Poppa released the single "Out of Town Bae", just five days prior to his death.[29]
Death
Wheeler was found dead in Fulton County, Georgia, on February 18, 2026, at the age of 25. An autopsy was performed on February 19, 2026. The Fulton County medical examiner concluded that Wheeler had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after he crashed his car on a highway near Hapeville, Georgia.[29][30] Meek Mill, Lil Duval, Boosie Badazz, Yo Gotti, Rob49, Dej Loaf, Mozzy, Nardo Wick, and Yungeen Ace paid tribute.[31][32]
Discography
Albums
- Blessed, I Guess (2021) – No. 160 Billboard 200
- HEAVY IS THE HEAD (2022) – No. 4 Billboard Heatseekers
- Half Man, Half Vamp (2023)
- WEE ARE WHO WE ARE (2024)
- Almost Normal Again (2025)
Extended plays
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Evergreen Wildchild (as That Boy Poppa) |
|
| It's Me, I'm The Problem |
|
Mixtapes
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | ||||
| EST. 2000 (as That Boy Poppa) |
|
— | ||
| Life After Desi |
|
— | ||
| Under Investigation |
|
— | ||
| Under Investigation 2 |
|
— | ||
| Almost Normal |
|
— | ||
| Evergreen Wildchild 2 |
|
— | ||
| Under Investigation 3 |
|
194 | ||
| ENJOY THE SHOW (with Jdot Breezy) |
|
— | ||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Album(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Nightmare on Elm Street" | 2018 | Under Investigation |
| "Purple Hearts" | ||
| "Out Of Town Bae" | 2026 | Non-album single |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Price Tag"[33] (Mozzy featuring Polo G and Lil Poppa) |
2020 | Beyond Bulletproof |
| "Grammy"[34] (FCG Heem featuring Lil Poppa) |
2022 | Non-album single |
Other certified songs
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Love & War" | 2021 | Blessed, I Guess |
References
- ^ Kolgraf, Jackie (June 2, 2021). "Meet Hip-Hop Nation's latest 'First Alert' artist, Lil Poppa". SiriusXM. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ a b A., Aron (December 20, 2022). "Lil Poppa Reflects On Industry Hardships, Growing Up In Jacksonville & More In "On The Come Up"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ a b Bryson, Paul (August 3, 2025). "Lil Poppa Continues To Make His Own Way To The Top In "Almost Normal Again"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Silverman, Hollie; Miller, Joshua Rhett (February 18, 2026). "Rapper Lil Poppa Dead at 25, Days After Releasing New Music". Newsweek. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Ellis, Jack (July 29, 2021). "Lil Poppa Counts His Blessings". Audiomack. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Seabrook, Robby III (June 10, 2020). "The Break Presents: Lil Poppa". XXL. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ "Lil Poppa "Man of the Year"". 360 MAGAZINE. March 8, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Baig, Nishat (December 17, 2023). "Exclusive: Lil Poppa Talks Latest EP, Working With Yo Gotti & Upcoming Album". The Knockturnal. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Wells, Eric (June 3, 2021). "The Explosive Rise of Jacksonville Rap". Complex. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ Cutt Circle- Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Social Media Gang. October 15, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ Tine, Silvia (April 21, 2022). "Yo Gotti Has Added A New Artist To His Roster: 'Lil Poppa'". Dilema Radio. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ "That Boy Poppa - Est. 2000 Mixtape Hosted by Bigga Rankin". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "That Boy Poppa - Life After Desi Mixtape Hosted by Bigga Rankin, DJ Scream". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "That Boy Poppa - Evergreen Wildchild Mixtape Hosted by Bigga Rankin". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "New Video > That Boy Poppa – Nightmare on Elm Street". Vatican Mixtapes. May 30, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William (June 25, 2019). "Premiere: Lil Poppa and Polo G Team Up for New "Eternal Living" Video". Complex. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ Crone, David. "Blessed, I Guess Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ Callender, Brandon (May 19, 2021). "Blessed, I Guess". Pitchfork.
- ^ a b c Saponara, Michael (February 18, 2026). "Florida Rapper Lil Poppa Dead at 25". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ a b "Gold & Platinum: Lil Poppa". RIAA. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Exclusive: Lil Poppa Inks Deal with Yo Gotti's CMG Record Label". Complex. April 20, 2022. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (April 21, 2022). "Lil Poppa & Yo Gotti Link Up For 'H Spot' Video In Celebration Of CMG Signing". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Lil Poppa Shares New Project 'Under Investigation 3' f/ Yo Gotti, Lil Duval, and Jdot Breezy". Complex. April 27, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Callender, Brandon (April 27, 2022). "Lil Poppa releases new mixtape Under Investigation 3". The Fader.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Under Investigation 3 Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ Powell, Jon (June 1, 2022). "Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Poppa, and Mozzy rep CMG on "Big League"". Revolt. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ Szaroleta, Tom (June 2, 2022). "Lil Poppa, Brooks & Dunn, taco fest: Top 5 things to do this weekend in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ a b Pierre, Alphonse (February 10, 2023). "Lil Poppa, Legend Yae, and Why the Best Southern Pain Rap Is More Than Just Sad". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ a b Cervantes Jr., Fernando (February 18, 2026). "Rapper Lil Poppa dies at 25, cause of death under investigation". Usatoday.com. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ Mahadevan, Tara (February 20, 2026). "Lil Poppa Reportedly Crashed His Car Prior to Death From Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound". Complex. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ Mickles, Kiana (February 19, 2026). "Jacksonville Rapper Lil Poppa Dies at 25". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ Horvath, Zachary (March 30, 2026). "Hip-Hop Reacts To The Tragic Passing Of Lil Poppa". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Pearce, Sheldon (April 9, 2020). "The Ones: Mozzy's "Pricetag" [ft. Polo G & Lil Poppa]". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (October 10, 2022). "Listen to FCG Heem's "Grammy" [ft. Lil Poppa]: The Ones". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 24, 2026.