Lil Poppa Dies at 25 — A Look at the Hip-Hop Artist's Singles, Collaborations, and Net Worth

The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Florida rapper Lil Poppa, who has died at the age of 25. The artist, known for his emotional lyrics and connection to the Jacksonville music scene, passed away in Fulton County, Georgia. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the death on Wednesday, 18 February.

Born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, the rapper had just released new music earlier this month. His single, titled 'Out of Town Bae', came out in early February and was receiving positive attention from fans. Although his career was still rising, officials state that details regarding the specific cause of death are scarce. The case remains under active investigation by local authorities as of Thursday morning.

Tributes from the Music Industry

As news of his passing spread on social media, friends and fellow artists began to share their sadness. Notable rappers such as Dej Loaf, Mozzy and Nardo Wick have posted tributes to the young artist. The support shows how well-liked Lil Poppa was within the music industry.

One of the most touching messages came from Caroline 'Baroline' Diaz, the CEO of Great Day Records. She worked closely with Lil Poppa during the early days of his career at Interscope Records. She wrote on the social media platform X: 'My little brother is gone, Poppa I love you so much. I am so broken. One of the first artists I had at Interscope. A&R'ed 4 of his projects. I'm so sad right now.'

A Career Built on Storytelling

Lil Poppa was best known for his honest storytelling about life in Jacksonville. His big break came in 2022 when he signed a major deal with Collective Music Group (CMG), a label founded by hip-hop veteran Yo Gotti. This deal was distributed through Interscope Records, which is one of the biggest music companies in the world.

Joining CMG was a turning point for the young rapper. It gave him access to professional recording studios and marketing budgets that independent artists rarely see. This support allowed him to create high-quality music videos, such as the visual for his hit song 'Eternal Living', which has been viewed over 20 million times. The partnership also led to collaborations with famous artists like Moneybagg Yo and EST Gee, which introduced his music to millions of new listeners.

Estimated Net Worth and Earnings

At the time of his death, financial experts estimated Lil Poppa's net worth to be between £1.2 million and £2.4 million ($1.5 million to $3 million). This wealth was earned over seven years of hard work in the music business. His income came from several different places, including streaming royalties, touring, merchandise sales and brand partnerships.

According to data available up to 2026, the year he signed with CMG marked his highest annual revenue, bringing in approximately £98,000 ($124,900) in 2022 alone. This success helped him build a national profile and enter the Billboard 200 charts.

Success in Streaming and Touring

Streaming was the main foundation of Lil Poppa's income. His catalogue of songs on Spotify had reached a massive 247 million total plays. In the music industry, artists earn a small amount of money every time a fan plays a song. With an average payout of about £0.002 to £0.004 per stream, his Spotify success generated an estimated £580,000 to £950,000 in royalties throughout his career. Even without releasing new music every day, his daily stream count of over 184,000 plays meant he was earning money constantly.

YouTube was another major source of revenue. His channel had 602 million views and over 750,000 subscribers. Analytics suggest his videos were generating around £12,000 per month from advertisements alone. This adds up to nearly £145,000 per year, not including any extra money from sponsorship deals.

Touring was also becoming a very profitable part of his job. In 2025, he embarked on the 'Almost Normal Again' tour. This run of shows visited 20 cities, including New York, Chicago and London, before finishing in his hometown of Jacksonville. While the exact profits are private, artists at his level can earn between £400,000 and £1.2 million gross revenue from a tour of that size. It was the largest series of concerts he had performed in his career.