French rapper Werenoi, one of the country’s most successful and influential music artists in recent years, has died at age 31.
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The rapper, real name Jérémy Bana Owona, went into cardio-respiratory arrest on Friday night, according to French outlet Pure Charts. He was rushed to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris and admitted to the ICU but tragically died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Although his family and management have yet to release an official statement, his record label, Believe, confirmed the devastating news on Instagram.
“With immense sadness, we’ve learned of Werenoi’s passing,” the label wrote. “All our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, his team, and everyone who knew him.”
Werenoi’s death cut short a career that only just started scratching the surface. In both 2023 and 2024, he topped France’s album sales, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), dominating charts with a combination of physical sales and digital streams.
Just hours before his death, he was scheduled to perform at a private showcase event at Azar Club in Lyon, celebrating the release of his newest album. Instead, the French music world is now in mourning.
News of his death quickly sparked an outpouring of tributes across social media.
“Rest in peace my brother, I love you,” wrote Babs, his longtime producer and close friend, in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter).
Pop star Aya Nakamura, who collaborated with Werenoi on his second album, also expressed her sorrow: “Rest in peace my dude. A news that saddens me and courage to the loved ones especially.”
Werenoi’s rise to fame came swiftly, but his impact was deep and lasting. He is survived by a devoted fanbase, a trailblazing musical legacy, and a French rap community that will never forget his voice.
