Lead: Janarious Mykel Wheeler, known professionally as Lil Poppa, was pronounced dead on Feb. 18, 2026, at 11:23 AM ET, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office in Georgia told TMZ. The 25-year-old Jacksonville-based rapper had recently released new music and was signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG). No official cause of death has been released by authorities as of publication. Family, his label and fans have begun to respond while investigators and the medical examiner continue standard post-mortem procedures.
Key Takeaways
- The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office reported Lil Poppa (Janarious Mykel Wheeler) was pronounced dead on Feb. 18, 2026, at 11:23 AM ET.
- Lil Poppa was 25 years old and based in Jacksonville, Florida; he was signed to Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG).
- He released the 16-track album Almost Normal Again in August and a single, “Out of Town Bae,” on Feb. 13, 2026.
- The medical examiner has not publicly released a cause of death; an official determination is pending toxicology and other tests.
- Poppa had been scheduled to perform in New Orleans next month, indicating ongoing touring activity at the time of his death.
Background
Lil Poppa emerged from Jacksonville’s rap scene and built a national audience over the past several years through viral singles and consistent releases. Signed to CMG, he released multiple tracks that expanded his streaming presence and led to touring opportunities. His 16-track album Almost Normal Again (released in August) marked a major project in his catalog; press materials and streaming pages credited him with growing fan engagement across social platforms. The artist’s recent single, released on Feb. 13, 2026, suggested he remained active creatively and preparing for live dates.
The broader context for Poppa’s career includes the continuing national attention on young artists who rise quickly through social media and streaming. The music industry has seen multiple high-profile deaths among hip-hop artists in recent years, prompting renewed focus on mental health, touring pressures and substance use. Labels including CMG have promoted rising acts aggressively, pairing rapid release schedules with frequent performances—factors that shape career trajectories and public visibility.
Main Event
On Feb. 18, 2026, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office notified media outlets that Janarious Mykel Wheeler had been pronounced dead at 11:23 AM ET. TMZ reported the timing and cited the medical examiner as the source of the pronouncement. The report did not specify the precise location where Wheeler was found or the immediate circumstances leading to his arrival under medical examiner jurisdiction.
Local authorities and the medical examiner typically follow standard procedures after a death is reported, including an external examination and the collection of samples for toxicology and other testing. Those steps can take days to weeks to yield conclusive results; the medical examiner’s final report will list an official cause and manner of death when complete. As of the initial reports, no cause had been publicly released.
Industry materials confirm Lil Poppa had recent release activity: his album Almost Normal Again surfaced in August and his new single Out of Town Bae arrived on Feb. 13, 2026. He was scheduled to perform in New Orleans in March 2026, reflecting an active touring calendar. CMG’s roster status and scheduled appearances mean promoters and venues will be monitoring updates from the label and local authorities.
Analysis & Implications
Poppa’s death highlights several recurring challenges in the contemporary music business: rapid career acceleration, frequent travel and the health risks that can accompany intensive schedules. For younger artists who gain traction quickly, support systems—management, medical oversight during tours, and label resources—play a pivotal role in mitigating risks associated with constant touring. Industry stakeholders will likely re-examine on-the-road protocols for emerging acts in light of another high-profile loss.
The absence of an immediate cause of death leaves space for speculation; however, responsible reporting requires waiting for the medical examiner’s findings. Pending toxicology and autopsy results will determine whether the death was from natural causes, accident, or other factors. Those results will also shape public discussion and any potential industry responses, including label statements, memorials, or benefit events.
Economically, an artist’s sudden death can affect streaming behavior, catalog valuations and scheduled events. Promoters and venues must navigate contractual and logistical questions for upcoming shows; fans often drive short-term spikes in streams and sales after such news, which has both emotional and financial consequences. CMG and business partners will need to balance estate considerations, memorialization and the commercial management of unreleased material, if any exists.
Comparison & Data
| Release | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Almost Normal Again (album, 16 tracks) | August (year not specified) |
| Out of Town Bae (single) | Feb. 13, 2026 |
The table summarizes publicly reported recent releases. Without label-provided sales or streaming figures, quantitative comparisons to peer artists cannot be drawn here; industry databases and label reports would be the appropriate sources for exact streaming counts and revenue impacts.
Reactions & Quotes
“The rapper — Janarious Mykel Wheeler — was pronounced dead today at 11:23 AM ET,”
Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office (official)
“Rest in peace. Gone too soon,”
Fans on social platforms (aggregate)
Initial responses included confirmation from the medical examiner and an outpouring of grief on social media. Industry contacts and the label typically issue more detailed statements after family notifications and internal discussions; those formal responses had not been published at the time of first reporting.
Unconfirmed
- No official cause of death has been released; any reported causes in unverified social posts are unconfirmed.
- Reports did not specify the exact location where Lil Poppa was found or whether any third parties were involved; those details remain unconfirmed.
Bottom Line
Lil Poppa’s death on Feb. 18, 2026, at age 25 is confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office; the basic timeline and his recent release activity are verifiable. The lack of an immediately released cause means the next reliable updates will come from the medical examiner’s final report and any official statements from family or his label, CMG.
For readers, the key things to watch are the medical examiner’s determination, a possible label statement from Collective Music Group, and how venues and promoters handle scheduled appearances. As with other recent losses in the music community, the story may prompt discussion about artist welfare and touring practices as investigators and industry stakeholders respond.
Sources
- TMZ (media report) — initial media report citing the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office (official) — jurisdictional medical examiner referenced in reporting.