French rapper Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, died at age 31 on May 17, 2025, just hours before a scheduled performance at Azar Club in Lyon, France. The artist, who had become France’s top-selling music performer over the past two years, suffered cardio-respiratory arrest early Saturday morning and was hospitalized at a Paris facility before his death.
Werenoi’s producer Babs confirmed the death through a post on social media platform X, writing “Rest in peace my brother, I love you.” His record company Believe also announced the news on Instagram, expressing immense sadness and extending thoughts to his family and team.
Born on January 30, 1994, in Melun, Seine-et-Marne, to Cameroonian parents, Owona was raised in Montreuil in the Seine-Saint-Denis district northeast of Paris. According to the National Union of Phonographic Industry, he achieved the number one album sales position in France for both 2023 and 2024, with rankings that included in-store purchases, e-commerce sales, and streaming service plays.
The rapper first gained national attention in 2021 when he posted his breakout song “Guadalajara” on YouTube, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views. This viral success launched his meteoric rise in the French music industry. He subsequently released three studio albums: “Carré” in 2023, “Pyramide” in 2024, and “Diamant Noir” in April 2025, just weeks before his death.
His latest album “Diamant Noir” marked his first project to debut at number one on the French charts and featured collaborations with notable artists including Gunna, Kalash, Ninho, Lil Tjay, Damso, and SDM. The release showcased his versatility by blending rap, trap, and Afro influences, demonstrating his musical evolution since his debut.
Werenoi had been experiencing health issues in the weeks leading up to his death. He was scheduled to perform at Les Flammes 2025, a French rap and hip-hop awards ceremony, but sent a video message apologizing for his absence. In the message, he appeared with his right arm in a medical sling, attributing his absence to an injury and telling fans the appearance was postponed.
The music industry recognized Werenoi’s talent through various accolades. He received the Male Revelation of the Year award at the inaugural Les Flammes ceremony in May 2023. At the 2025 ceremony, he was posthumously awarded the Flamme for Album of the Year for “Pyramide,” which was considered France’s biggest-selling album of 2024.
Several prominent artists paid tribute to the late rapper. Aya Nakamura, who featured on his second album, expressed her sadness and offered support to his loved ones. Veteran singer-songwriter Pascal Obispo, who had performed with Werenoi at a 2023 Paris concert, praised his talent for creating quality songs with distinctive melodies and impactful lyrics.
Werenoi maintained a notably private lifestyle despite his massive popularity among French youth. He rarely appeared in traditional media and kept personal details away from public scrutiny, often wearing sunglasses to maintain anonymity. His authenticity resonated with fans who identified with his credible representation of street life and daily realities.
The rapper’s funeral took place on May 20, 2025, in Montreuil, where he was buried in the municipal cemetery of Seine-Saint-Denis. Approximately 800 people attended the service, which followed prayers at a packed mosque. Security personnel prohibited cameras and telephones during the ceremony.
Fans gathered outside the cemetery gates expressed their connection to the artist. One 25-year-old attendee of Cameroonian descent noted his appreciation for having an artist from similar origins achieve such success, particularly praising Werenoi’s ability to layer meaningful lyrics with instrumental music.
Following the announcement of his death, all of Werenoi’s music videos were removed from YouTube within hours. However, his audio tracks remain available on the platform, including his final collaboration “Piano” with rapper Gims. His complete discography continues to be accessible on streaming platforms Spotify and Deezer, where he maintained over six million monthly listeners.
The exact cause of Werenoi’s death has not been officially disclosed by medical authorities or his family. French media reports indicate he was hospitalized following the cardio-respiratory arrest but provide no additional details about underlying health conditions or contributing factors to his sudden death.