The French music community is mourning following the death of its biggest-selling artist in recent years Werenoi.
As confirmed by his record label and producer, the rapper passed at the age of 31.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) ranking, which includes in-store and e-commerce sales as well as plays on streaming services, the deceased known in real life as Jérémy Bana Owona, was the No. 1 album seller in France in 2023 and 2024.
Announcing Werenoi’s passing, his producer Babs wrote to X “It’s with immense sadness that we’ve learned of Werenoi’s passing,” his record company Believe said on Instagram. “All our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, his team and everyone who knew him.”
“Rest in peace my brother, I love you,”
According to French media reports, the rapper died early Saturday (May 17) in a Paris hospital. The cause of his death has not been made public.
Werenoi first hit the limelight in 2021 when he posted his song “Guadalajara” on YouTube and it was viewed hundreds of thousand times.
Before his immediate passing, he unveiled three studio albums Carré in 2023, Pyramide in 2024 and Diamant Noir in 2025, making him one of the biggest names in French rap.
Several French rappers posted tributes on social media.
Aya Nakamura, French-Malian pop singer who featured on Werenoi’s second album has sent in her condolences. She wrote: “Rest in peace my dude. A news that saddens me and courage to the loved ones especially.”
“He made a difference for the quality of his songs, his melodies and his punchlines,” singer Pascal Obispo, who had accompanied Werenoi on the piano at a 2023 Paris concert, told French newspaper Le Parisien.
