Rapper Werenoi, France's biggest-selling music artist in recent years, dies at age 31
Rapper Werenoi, France's biggest-selling music artist in recent years, has died at the age of 31, his producer and record company said.
The artist, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, was the number 1 album seller in France in 2023 and 2024 according to the ranking of the National Union of Phonographic Industry, which includes in-store and e-commerce sales as well as plays on streaming services.
"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,' his producer Babs posted on X.
French media report Werenoi died early Saturday in a Paris hospital. The cause of his death has not been made public.
This photo shows Werenoi is performing on the stage. AFP
Werenoi first became known to the French public in 2021 when he posted his song "Guadalajara' on YouTube and it was viewed hundreds of thousand times.
He released three albums, "Carré' in 2023, "Pyramide' the next year and "Diamant Noir' last month, making him one of the biggest names in French rap.
Several French rappers posted tributes on social media. French-Malian pop star Aya Nakamura, who featured on his second album, 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.
Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Gulf Today
‘Largest Princess Diana auction' features frocks, hats, shoes and bags
From colourful frocks and hats to handbags and shoes, items belonging to the late Princess Diana go under the hammer this month in what Julien's Auctions says is the largest collection of her fashion to go to auction. The live and online "Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection" sale will take place on June 26 at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, offering an array of fashion items Diana wore. "This is the largest Princess Diana auction because we have over 100 items from her amazing life and in mind Diana over 70 of her in 1997 to raise money for her charity," Martin Nolan, executive director and co-founder of Julien's Auctions, told Reuters on Monday. He was speaking at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge in Ireland during a pre-sale exhibition. Among the highlights is a 1988 silk floral dress by Bellville Sassoon, dubbed the "caring dress" because Diana wore it several times on hospital visits, with a price estimate of $200,000-$300,000. Chanel and Rayner shoes and a handbag that belonged to Princess Diana is displayed at a public exhibition in The Museum of Style Icons, in Newbridge, Ireland. A cream silk embroidered evening gown Catherine Walker designed for Diana's 1986 Gulf tour has a similar price tag, while a Bruce Oldfield two-piece yellow floral ensemble she wore for Royal Ascot in 1987 is estimated at $100,000-$200,000. Other sale items include a Dior handbag gifted to her by former French first lady Bernadette Chirac in 1995, a sketch of Diana's 1981 wedding dress with tulle fabric cut-offs from when she married then Prince Charles in 1981 and a peach hat she wore for her honeymoon send-off. Martin Nolan, co-founder of Julien's Auctions, poses with Princess Diana's Christian Dior 'Lady Dior' handbag. The auction also includes pieces belonging to other British royals including the late Queen Elizabeth II and the queen mother. Nolan said Julien's Auctions had previously sold a dress belonging to Diana for $1.14 million. The final calico toile for Princess Diana's Royal wedding gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel is displayed. Photos: Reuters "People do consider these items as an asset class now, because if people own these items today, chances are in years to come they will sell them for more than what they pay for (at) auction," he said. Part of the proceeds from the sale of Diana's items will go to charity Muscular Dystrophy UK. Reuters
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Japan's 400,000-follower 'Insta-gran' dies aged 97
12 June 2025 14:12 TOKYO (AFP)A Japanese great-grandmother with 400,000 Instagram followers who shot to fame for her goofy self-portraits after taking up photography aged 72 has died, her son said on Nishimoto, who died this week at the age of 97, told AFP in a 2018 interview that "you can take photos no matter how old you get"."Wherever it is, in your house, outside, or in your bed, you can do it. That is the nice thing about a camera," she the "selfie queen" by Japanese media, Nishimoto's posts showed her in various candid poses -- from riding a broom like Harry Potter to imitating an off-duty sumo wrestler on their fifth beer of the night."Our mother always created her work with a smile," a post from her son Kazutami Nishimoto said on her Instagram account."We are deeply grateful to everyone who visited her photography exhibitions held across the country, to those who shared warm words of encouragement through Instagram... and to all who supported her warmly throughout her journey."Nishimoto's son teaches photography classes, which his mother started taking in retirement."Though she began photography at the age of 72, she was blessed with countless encounters, which enriched this third chapter of her life tremendously," he appeared on national television as her online following grew and was interviewed by major news her more out-there visual scenarios were also the cause of some confusion over the snap -- showing her wrapped in a garbage bag, as if she had been discarded -- drew criticism from people who didn't know she was involved in its set-up. "It's not like ideas just suddenly pop into my head but wherever I go I think about what it would be fun to dress up as in that place," she said in 2018.
Web Release
6 hours ago
- Web Release
Celebrate Father's Day in Style at Flying Elephant Mystical Mixology with Unlimited Beverages and Live DJ!
This Father's Day, raise a toast to the dads who deserve it all! On June 21, Flying Elephant Mystical Mixology invites guests to an unforgettable evening of music, vibes, and value — featuring a special Father's Day offer of unlimited select beverages for just AED 99, all set to the sounds of a live DJ. Whether you're treating your dad, celebrating yourself, or just joining the party, Flying Elephant Mystical Mixology promises a lively, laid-back atmosphere to make the occasion truly memorable. With a rotating setlist of upbeat tracks and timeless classics performed live, plus expertly crafted drinks flowing all night, it's the perfect way to say 'cheers' to the father figures in your life. Event Highlights: Unlimited select beverages for AED 99 Live DJ Date: Friday, June 21, 2025 from 6 pm to midnight Flying Elephant Mystical Mixology is located at Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For further information, please call +971 54 996 3324 or follow @ on Instagram. Online bookings can be made here.
