“He was a star,” a friend said about rapper Lil Poppa, following his death at age 25.
The up-and-coming artist, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler, was found dead on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Atlanta.
Earlier today, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office release his cause of death to TMZ, saying Wheeler died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a suicide.
Wheeler was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18, 2000. He began writing music and performing as a child with friends from church, according to his Apple Music Page.
The rising rapper was signed to Yo Gotti’s music label and released songs including “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” “To the Point,” and “What I Seen.”
Days before his death, he unveiled his new single “Out of Town Bae.”
Wheeler was known for his music focusing on relationships, the streets, trauma, and mental health.
He had more than 795,000 subscribers on YouTube and a million followers on Instagram.
On Feb. 9, he posted the song “I’m Not Alright” on his Instagram page, and included the caption: “No, I am not alright.”
Fans filled the post with condolences as news of the rapper’s death spread.
“Literally was crying out for help. God bless his soul,” one person wrote.
“This Whole Song Hits So Different Now. Hopefully You’re At Peace Now,” another fan shared.
“If u don’t understand this man’s pain in this song, he was calling on the ppl and nobody picked up,” someone else wrote.
Jacksonville photographer and content creator Terrence Tyson told local TV station First Coast News he met Wheeler when the rapper was just starting out.
Tyson said Wheeler’s friends were devastated after learning he had died.
“I know how myself and a lot of other people, how hard we went for him to get where he needed to be. It was a shock and it was a big loss,” Tyson said.
He added that Wheeler had been destined for great things.
“When he made it, it felt like everyone made it,” Tyson shared. “He was a star.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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