Lil Poppa’s cause of death has been ruled a suicide due to a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The medical examiner’s office revealed in a press release that they conducted an autopsy of Poppa on Thursday (Feb. 19). Poppa (born Janarious Mykel Wheeler) died on Wednesday at age 25.
There was an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community mourning the Jacksonville rapper, with tributes from Boosie Badazz, Mozzy, Dej Loaf and Nardo Wick.
The 25-year-old released his “Out of Town Bae” single on Feb. 13. The rapper had been on tour in 2025 and had a Birthday Bash show in New Orleans set for March.
Poppa signed to Yo Gotti’s CMG Records in 2022 and released several projects with the label, including his Almost Normal Again album last August. “We are stunned and devastated by the loss of our beloved family member, Janarious ‘Lil Poppa’ Wheeler,” CMG wrote in a statement on Thursday. “Poppa was more than just a talented artist — he was an ambitious young man with depth beyond his years and endless potential. Our love for him knew no bounds.”
The label’s statement continued: “He was one of those rare artists who thoughtfully poured his pain, growth and truth into his art. His passion and authenticity connected and inspired fans from all walks of life. This is truly a heartbreaking loss for everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Poppa, we promise to uphold your legacy with honor and respect. We are all better because of you. Long Live Lil Poppa.”
Lil Poppa notched a pair of albums on the Billboard 200 in his career. Poppa’s Blessed, I Guess project reached No. 160 in May 2021 and his Under Investigation 3 album entered at No. 194 in May 2022. He also earned a handful of placements on the Heatseekers Albums chart, the highest being No. 4, for his Heavy is the Head project in November 2022.
Billboard has reached out to Lil Poppa’s reps for comment.
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