Shock Death of French Rap Icon Werenoi at 31—What Really Happened?

France’s music world is mourning the sudden and tragic death of Jérémy Bana Owana, better known by his stage name Werenoi, who passed away at the age of 31 on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

The chart-topping rapper, widely admired for his lyrical depth and meteoric rise, died at La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris after suffering a cardio-respiratory arrest, according to French media. His passing was confirmed by his record label, Believe, and longtime producer, Babs, leaving fans and the music industry in shock and grief.

Born on January 30, 1994, in Melun, France, to Cameroonian parents, Werenoi was raised in Montreuil, a suburb east of Paris. Fiercely private, he rarely spoke about his personal life, choosing to let his music speak for him.

His stage name, Werenoi, stemmed from a casual greeting among friends. As he once explained in a 2024 interview: “Werenoi is how we greet each other, like, ‘Yes, my friend.’ It’s not a [racial] message at all.”

Werenoi first burst onto the French rap scene in 2021 with the viral success of his debut single “Guadalajara” on YouTube. Initially known as We Renoi, he gained quick recognition with tracks like “Señor de los Gallos,” a collaboration with Lacrim. His gritty realism, melodic style, and lyrical versatility set him apart in a crowded genre.

In 2022, he signed with AllPoints France and released Telegram, a 12-track EP featuring the diamond-certified single “Solitaire.” His momentum continued with his 2023 debut studio album Carré, which included collaborations with major artists such as PLK, Ninho, Tiakola, and Lacrim.

The album sold over 18,000 copies in its first week and went on to become the best-selling album of the year in France, according to SNEP.

Werenoi’s follow-up, Pyramide (2024), featured powerhouse names like Aya Nakamura, Damso, SCH, Maes, and Hamza. The project debuted at number one and won Album of the Year at the 2024 Les Flammes awards. His final album, Diamant Noir, released in April 2025, also topped the charts. It showcased international collaborations with artists such as Gunna, Lil Tjay, Kalash, and Ninho, blending rap, trap, and Afro-influenced sounds.

By the time of his passing, Werenoi had amassed more than 6.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and had become France’s best-selling artist for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024), according to SNEP and IFPI. His accolades included Male Revelation of the Year at Les Flammes 2023 and a second Album of the Year award for Pyramide 2 in 2025.

Tragically, his death occurred just hours before he was scheduled to perform at Azar Club in Lyon on May 17, where he planned to showcase tracks from Diamant Noir. Reports say he was hospitalized on Friday night following a cardio-respiratory event and admitted to intensive care.

Despite medical intervention, he died early Saturday morning. While early reports suggest a heart attack as the likely cause, no official statement has been released by his family or management.

Health concerns have emerged in recent days. At the Les Flammes 2025 ceremony on May 13, Werenoi was absent due to what was described as a “serious injury.” In a pre-recorded message, he appeared with his right arm in a sling. It is currently unclear whether the injury and his sudden death are connected.

Tributes have poured in from across the French music scene and beyond. Believe wrote 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 producer Babs posted on social media: “Rest in peace my brother, I love you.”

Aya Nakamura, who collaborated with him on Pyramide, shared: “Rest in peace, my dude. A news that saddens me—courage to the loved ones especially.” Singer Pascal Obispo, who performed with Werenoi in 2023, told Le Parisien: “He made a difference for the quality of his songs, his melodies, and his punchlines. My son is very sad, and I’m in pain. He was a good guy, very talented, who had so many things to do.”

Tributes also came from artists and public figures, including Gims, Kaaris, Jul, SCH, Maes, Lacrim, N.O.S., and Rachida Dati. Fans flooded Werenoi’s final Instagram post—a video from May 1—with heartfelt messages. One wrote: “Rest in peace the GOAT, one of the best gone too soon. Courage to the family.” Another reflected: “It reminds us that all this money, this life, this luxury—when we’re gone, it means nothing. Let’s make the most of life.”

Despite his fame, Werenoi remained enigmatic. There are no confirmed details about his immediate family beyond references to his “loved ones” in tribute messages. His Cameroonian heritage and upbringing in Montreuil heavily influenced his sound, often exploring themes of struggle, identity, and survival.

He leaves behind a powerful legacy, with standout tracks like “Scarface,” “Laboratoire,” “Chemin d’or,” “Ciao” (featuring Ninho), and “Piano” (featuring Gims)—the latter being one of France’s most-streamed songs at the time of his death.

Werenoi’s impact extended beyond borders, with his collaborations with international artists symbolizing his growing global reach. His much-anticipated concert at Paris La Défense Arena in January 2026 was expected to be a defining moment in his career—one that will now remain unrealized.

The Azar Club, where he was set to perform, honored his memory, calling him “a unique artist and a defining voice of his generation.”