Lil Poppa

Lil Poppa, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler on March 18, 2000, was an American rapper from Jacksonville, Florida. He emerged from the city's competitive hip-hop scene in the late 2010s, releasing his debut project «Under Investigation» after being released from jail in 2018 — a title that reflected the legal turbulence surrounding his early career.

His melodic yet street-hardened style, built around introspective storytelling of hardship, loyalty, and survival, quickly earned him a devoted fanbase. Songs like «Love & War», «Purple Hearts», «Problems Back Home», and «Been Thru» showcased his ability to blend emotional vulnerability with the sharp-edged realism typical of Florida street rap. He was a prolific and consistent artist, steadily releasing new projects and building momentum through word-of-mouth and streaming rather than a single breakout hit.

Lil Poppa collaborated with several rising stars of his generation, including Polo G and Quando Rondo, aligning him with a broader wave of melodic street rappers who rose in the late 2010s. In 2022, he signed to Yo Gotti's CMG (Collective Music Group), a milestone that placed him alongside other CMG artists and reflected industry recognition of his steady rise. Lil Poppa passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 25, leaving behind a catalog defined by emotional honesty and consistent artistic growth.