French rapper Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, passed away at age 31 on May 17, 2025, just hours before a scheduled performance at Azar Club in Lyon, France.
The musician experienced a cardiac arrest and was taken to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, where he was admitted to intensive care. Despite medical efforts, he died in the early morning.
Werenoi’s producer Babs confirmed his death on the social media platform X, stating, “Rest in peace my brother I love you!!!” The announcement had a significant impact on the French music industry and fans who were looking forward to his Lyon performance.
Reports from chartsinfrance.net indicated the rapper had been hospitalized following cardio-respiratory arrest. Various sources noted concerns about his health, with Le Parisien reporting rumors of his declining condition since May 16, when he unexpectedly missed an appearance.
The upcoming event at Azar Club was part of the “JACKPOT” series, heavily promoted as a chance for attendees to be among the first to witness his latest album live. The venue characterized the event as “unique” and significant for Lyon’s club scene.
Werenoi recently celebrated a victory at the Les Flammes awards on May 13, 2025, winning the Album of the Year for “Pyramide 2.” He did not attend the ceremony in person, instead sending a video message showing his arm in a medical cast, citing a “serious injury.”
Born on January 30, 1994, in Melun, France, Werenoi was raised in Montreuil in a family of Cameroonian descent. Known for his privacy, he often let his music speak for itself. In an interview with Le Parisien in January 2024, he expressed his surprise at his commercial success, saying it showed “we have done good work.”
Though not widely known outside rap circles, Werenoi achieved significant commercial success in recent years. According to the National Union of Phonographic Industry in France, he was the top-selling recording artist in 2023 and 2024, a notable feat for someone who just released his first song in 2021.
His rise began when his YouTube video for “Guadalajara” received hundreds of thousands of views, quickly establishing him in the French rap scene. Werenoi signed with AllPoints France in May 2022 and released his first EP “Telegram” the next month. The EP was later re-released with extra tracks, including a collaboration with rapper Ninho.
His debut studio album “Carré” launched in March 2023, selling over 18,000 copies in its first week. The album featured collaborations with well-known French rappers PLK, Ninho, Tiakola, and Lacrim, and became France’s best-selling album that year.
His subsequent album, “Pyramide,” released in February 2024, continued his success with collaborations with Damso, SDM, Aya Nakamura, Hamza, Maes, and SCH. The album topped charts, solidifying Werenoi’s influence in French music. His final album, “Diamant Noir,” released in April 2025, debuted at number one in France.
At the time of his death, Werenoi had over 6.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He was recognized for hits like “Scarface,” “Solitaire,” “Laboratoire,” “Camin d’Or,” and “Ciao” featuring Ninho.
Tributes from the French music industry followed the announcement. Radio host Fred Musa shared condolences on social media, and French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, a collaborator, expressed her sorrow.
Singer Pascal Obispo, who performed with Werenoi in Paris in 2023, praised the rapper in comments to Le Parisien, highlighting his distinguished songwriting, melodies, and lyrics.
The reaction extended beyond artists, with Spotify France acknowledging his impact, stating, “In just five years, Werenoi left an indelible mark on French music.” His record company, Believe, announced his passing “with immense sadness,” sending condolences to his family and loved ones.
Werenoi was scheduled to perform at Paris La Défense Arena in January 2026, a significant venue that would have marked another achievement in his career. These plans, along with other scheduled performances, have been canceled following his death.
Fans expressed their grief online, with comments on his recent Instagram post noting the fleeting nature of success: “It reminds us that all this money, this life, this luxury – well the day we are no longer there is nothing, let’s make the most of life.”
Le Parisien summarized the sentiment in the music industry, stating, “The French music world is in mourning,” reflecting the industry’s reaction to the loss of one of its promising talents.
