Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa passed away at just 25 years old on February 18, 2026, in Georgia; however, the details of the cause of his passing remain under investigation.
Lil Poppa’s diagnosis of sickle cell anemia is in focus after he took his last breath suddenly just after a few days of releasing his new single.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. that day.
Lil Poppa leaves behind a young son named Kofi J’nar, who is 3 years old, and the child’s mother, Toie Roberts, who is Rick Ross’s daughter.
The rapper had been open about his having publicly discussed struggling with sickle cell anemia for much of his life.
This was a known health issue he talked about in interviews, his music, and especially in his documentary titled Blessed, I Guess (tied to his 2021 debut album), where he touched on themes of pain, challenges, and living with the condition.
Fans and reports have noted that he often referenced being in frequent or chronic pain due to it, which some said affected his music output and daily life.
That said, the precise cause of his sudden demise remains unconfirmed.
Lil Poppa‘s tragic demise comes just five days after releasing his new single called “Out of Town Bae,” which came out on February 13.
He was also getting ready for shows, including one planned in New Orleans next month at The Fillmore for what would have been his birthday bash on March 21.
His latest album, “Almost Normal Again,” came out in August 2025, and he took it on a 20-date tour across the U.S.Lil Poppa started making music early and really built something special.
The rapper’s first big project was the 2021 album “Blessed, I Guess,” and later he signed with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group, which helped him reach more people.
In no time, songs like “Love & War,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “HAPPY TEARS” became favorites for a lot of listeners.
He had millions of streams on Spotify, close to a million followers on Instagram, and over 600,000 monthly listeners. His music was raw and honest, often talking about real struggles, and fans say it helped them get through tough times.
People who knew him personally have shared how hardworking he was. A friend and producer named Scotty OTH grew up with him and said they felt like family, calling each other cousins.
He remembered how Lil Poppa would stay in the studio longer than anyone else, always pushing to make the best tracks.
Similarly, another person who worked with him early on, Terrence Tyson, said it felt like everyone won when Lil Poppa made it big. “He was a star,” Tyson said.
The news hit hard on social media, with tributes pouring in from fans, friends, and people in the industry.
Caroline “Baroline” Diaz from Great Day Records, who helped him when he was starting, wrote that he was like a little brother to her and that she’s heartbroken.
Many described him as a good person beyond the music, someone who poured his pain into lyrics that connected deeply.
During this difficult time, we pray for the strength of Lil Poppa’s son, family, and friends.
Rest Easy, Lil Poppa!
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