Jacksonville to consider ‘Lil Poppa Day’ after rapper’s death
The city of Jacksonville is considering dedicating a day to Lil Poppa following the rapper‘s death last month.
Poppa (real name Janarious Mykel Wheeler) passed away on February 18th in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 25. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a suicide after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to News4Jax, residents of Eastside recently met at City Hall to ask officials to name March 18th “Lil Poppa Day.”
The reason for the specific date is due it being Poppa’s birthday, with residents citing how much positivity he brought to the community.
“Lil Poppa stood for a lot of things,” one woman, Felicia Jackson, said at the City Council meeting. “But the main thing he stood for is mental health.”
She added that Poppa, who was signed to Interscope Records, inspired local kids as he was seen as someone who “physically made it out,” despite suffering with his mental health.
Jackson said, “It’s very important for the kids to see that we can make it out, regardless of the things we go through in our neighbourhood.”
Another resident, Gavin Boykin, said his death should be used to inspire the “troubled youth” to be more compassionate, thoughtful, and understanding.
Councilman Rahman Johnson was also full of praise for Poppa, adding, “[Wheeler] is known throughout the music industry for the great work he’s done. He’s brought so much notoriety back to Jacksonville. We can use this as an opportunity to talk about somebody who always recognised our city.”
Jacksonville is working on making a public announcement for the late rapper, which is intended by the end of the week.