France’s rap scene has lost one of its brightest stars. Werenoi, the rapper who dominated music charts over the past two years, has died at the age of 31, his producer and record label confirmed on Saturday.
Born Jérémy Bana Owona, Werenoi soared to the top of the French music industry, with his albums becoming bestsellers in both 2023 and 2024. Data from the National Union of Phonographic Industry placed him at the forefront of album sales—factoring in physical purchases, online orders, and streaming figures.
Sharing the heartbreaking news, his label Believe posted on Instagram: “It’s with immense sadness that we’ve learned of Werenoi’s passing. All our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, his team and everyone who knew him."
His longtime producer Babs paid tribute with a simple yet emotional message on X: “Rest in peace my brother, I love you."
Local media outlets report that the rapper died early Saturday morning at a hospital in Paris. The cause of death has not been disclosed at this time.
Werenoi first captured public attention in 2021 with his breakout track “Guadalajara," which went viral on YouTube and set the stage for his rapid rise. He went on to release three successful albums—Carré in 2023, Pyramide in 2024, and his most recent project, Diamant Noir, just last month—cementing his place as a leading force in French rap.
Tributes have poured in from fellow artists and fans alike. Aya Nakamura, who collaborated with him on his second album, wrote on social media: “Rest in peace my dude. A news that saddens me and courage to the loved ones especially."
Veteran musician Pascal Obispo, who performed alongside Werenoi during a 2023 concert in Paris, spoke to Le Parisien about the late rapper’s artistry: “He made a difference for the quality of his songs, his melodies and his punchlines."
(with inputs from AP)
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