Toie Roberts, the daughter of Rick Ross, is speaking out following the death of the father of her son, Lil Poppa.
The Jacksonville artist, whose real name was Janarious Mykel Wheeler, died on Feb. 18 at the age of 25.
In a message shared on social media, Roberts addressed the loss while also responding to online criticism surrounding her relationship with the late rapper. She wrote that people on the internet never saw the full reality of what they experienced together.
“MYKEL..what’s understood don’t ever have to explained especially to the internet! nothing could EVER describe the pain, the thoughts, the constant heartbreak of it all,” she wrote. “our reality changing before my eyes.. i’ve been wondering how could you be so in a rush to leave us so suddenly & torturing.. for us to go on without you in life..but deep down, i know you didn’t mean to & you didn’t mean to hurt us.”
Roberts also pushed back against critics who have blamed her for the rapper’s passing, saying the public only saw parts of their relationship.
“then they speak on what they THINK they know, i can’t lie I’M OFFENDED. Y’ALL DON’T KNOW SH#T! Y’ALL DON’T KNOW ME! Y’ALL DONT KNOW US!” she wrote. “the world publicly seen some of our worst moments, which we weren’t proud of but the ‘beef’ was never bigger than what we shared & created.”
The two share a young son together. In the message, Roberts reflected on the reality of raising their child without his father.
“what i’m supposed to tell our bayboy?¿ what’s the big 3 without you P?” she wrote. “MY SON LOST HIS FATHER! i will never take that lightly! when everybody move on with their lives, it’ll still b me and our son living in it.”
Roberts ended the tribute by speaking directly to the late rapper and thanking him for the time they shared.
“Janarious, i got J’nar. you go on & get your rest,” she wrote. “thank you FOR EVERYTHING, from the bottom of my heart. we love you so much & we’re going to miss you endlessly in this lifetime.”
The post arrives as Roberts continues navigating life as a mother while mourning the loss of her son’s father.