The Silent King of French Rap, Werenoi, Dies at 31
I still can’t believe it as I say this—Werenoi, one of the most enigmatic yet impactful figures in French rap, is gone. At just 31 years old, the rapper from Montreuil has left us, and the entire music world is in shock. It’s hard to describe how much of a void this sudden loss creates. He wasn't just an artist with hits; he was a phenomenon, a mystery, and a silent giant in an industry obsessed with noise and spectacle.
Werenoi, born Jérémy Bana Owana in 1994, grew up in the Jean-Moulin neighborhood of Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. His rise was nothing short of spectacular. Starting out with Maes and later joining forces with Babs, a key player in the French rap scene, Werenoi created a unique musical universe—dark, introspective, and hauntingly beautiful. His music had a raw honesty that connected deeply with fans, especially younger listeners between 15 and 25. Tracks like Chemin d’or , Solitaire , and Laboratoire weren’t just songs, they were stories—his stories.
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Despite topping charts and selling out arenas like the Accor Arena and Zéniths all over France, he remained fiercely private. No red carpets. No flashy interviews. Just music. In 2022, his mixtape Telegram hinted at the storm to come. Then came Carré , and later Pyramide , both exploding in popularity. By 2024, he was officially the best-selling artist in France—two years in a row. Yet he stayed in the shadows, hood over his head, letting the music speak volumes.
He recently released Diamant Noir , and had grand plans—a documentary set for release on a U.S. platform this Christmas, and a concert at Paris La Défense Arena scheduled for January 2026. Even the Stade de France was in his sights. He was awarded the Spotify Flame for Best Album with Pyramide 2 just days before his passing, appearing in a video with his arm in a sling and saying, “It’s only a delay.” No one could have known how final that delay would be.
His producer Babs announced the heartbreaking news on May 17th. Though he had been unwell, the decline in his health was sudden. And now, that voice that told stories from the shadows is silent. What’s perhaps most painful is that Werenoi was just getting started. His silence, his refusal to play the fame game, became his signature—and now it’s also his legacy.
Rest in power, Werenoi. You didn’t just make music. You made history.
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