French rapper Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, died at age 31 on May 17, 2025, just hours before he was to perform at Lyon’s Azar Club.
The artist experienced a cardiac arrest and was transported to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, France, where he was admitted to intensive care. Despite medical efforts, he passed away in the early hours of the morning.
His producer, Babs, confirmed Werenoi’s death on social media platform X, writing, “Rest in peace my brother I love you!!!” The announcement deeply affected the French music industry and fans who were looking forward to his performance in Lyon that night.
According to chartsinfrance.net, the rapper was hospitalized following a cardio-respiratory arrest. Reports indicated concerns about his health were present in the days before his passing. Le Parisien reported rumors of a decline in his condition since May 16, when he missed a scheduled appearance.
The Azar Club in Lyon had promoted the May 17 event as part of its “JACKPOT” series, emphasizing that attendees would be among the first to experience his latest album live. The venue described the evening as “unique” and meant to “make an impression” at one of the city’s iconic clubs.
Werenoi’s death occurred only days after he won the Album of the Year award for “Pyramide 2” at the Les Flammes awards ceremony on May 13, 2025. He did not attend the ceremony but sent a video message, showing his arm in a cast and explaining he had suffered a “serious injury.”
Born on January 30, 1994, in Melun, France, Werenoi was raised in Montreuil in a family of Cameroonian descent. He was known for keeping his personal life private, focusing instead on his music. In a January 2024 interview with Le Parisien, he expressed surprise at his commercial success, stating it showed “we have done good work.”
While not widely known outside rap circles, Werenoi achieved significant commercial success in recent years. The National Union of Phonographic Industry in France reported he was the top-selling recording artist in the country for both 2023 and 2024, notable for someone who released his first song in 2021.
His breakthrough came when his YouTube video for “Guadalajara” attracted hundreds of thousands of views, establishing him as a rising star in French rap. Werenoi signed with AllPoints France in May 2022 and released his first EP “Telegram” the next month. The EP was re-released with additional tracks, including a collaboration with rapper Ninho.
His debut studio album “Carré,” released in March 2023, sold over 18,000 copies in its first week. The album featured collaborations with French rappers PLK, Ninho, Tiakola, and Lacrim, and was the best-selling album in France that year.
His subsequent album, “Pyramide,” released in February 2024, continued his success with collaborations featuring Damso, SDM, Aya Nakamura, Hamza, Maes, and SCH. The album topped the charts, solidifying Werenoi’s influence in French music. His final album, “Diamant Noir,” was released in April 2025 and debuted at number one in France.
At the time of his death, Werenoi had over 6.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. He was known for hits like “Scarface,” “Solitaire,” “Laboratoire,” “Camin d’Or,” and “Ciao” featuring Ninho.
Tributes from the French music industry followed the news of his death. Radio host Fred Musa shared condolences on social media, while French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, a collaborator, expressed sadness at the news.
Singer Pascal Obispo, who performed with Werenoi at a 2023 Paris concert, praised him in comments to Le Parisien, noting Werenoi’s distinction through the quality of his songwriting, melodies, and lyrics.
The response from the French music business included Spotify France, which noted 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” and extended thoughts to his family and loved ones.
Werenoi was set to perform at Paris La Défense Arena in January 2026, a venue that would have marked another milestone in his career. These plans, along with other scheduled performances, have been canceled following his death.
Fans expressed their grief online, with one comment 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 French music community, stating, “The French music world is in mourning,” reflecting the industry’s reaction to the loss of one of its rising stars.
