Lil Poppa, the talented Georgia rapper who captivated fans with tracks like "Love & War" and "Purple Hearts," has sadly passed away at just 25 years old. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed his death on Wednesday to Entertainment Weekly, while the exact cause remains under investigation. TMZ first broke the news about the Jacksonville musician, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler.
"The manner and cause of death are pending investigation," stated Brian Jost Reents, Senior Medical Examiner Investigator.
Despite his young age, Lil Poppa left an indelible mark on the music scene. Beginning his career in 2016 with the hit "Fall Off," he quickly rose through the ranks, producing five albums within a decade. His raw and honest lyrics, particularly in "Purple Hearts," caught the attention of Interscope Records, leading to a significant breakthrough.
In 2021, Lil Poppa reached new heights with "Love & War," a track featured on his album "Blessed, I Guess." He candidly explored themes of love and protection, a testament to his ability to weave personal experiences into his music.
Lil Poppa's career was marked by collaborations with industry giants like Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group and rising stars such as GloRilla. Just days before his untimely death, he released "Out of Town Bae," continuing his tradition of storytelling through music.
Reflecting on his journey, Lil Poppa once mentioned in a 2021 interview with Audiomack, "Being an artist is easy as long as you got something to talk about. As long as you've been through something, it's gon' always be easy." His words resonate now more than ever, as the music world grapples with the loss of a promising and authentic voice.