RAPPER GONE
Werenoi dead: Rapper dies aged 31 just hours before gig after being rushed to hospital as tributes pour in
The rapper's death has come as a huge shock to fans
FRENCH rapper Werenoi has reportedly died of a cardiac arrest at 31 - just hours before he was due on stage.
Jeremy Bana Owana, known as Werenoi, has been confirmed dead by his producer Babs.
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The rapper was hospitalised after going into cardio-respiratory arrest, according to local French outlet chartsinfrance.net.
He was admitted into intensive care but died in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Werenoi was expected to perform at Azar Club in Lyon, France tonight.
His producer Babs wrote on X: "Rest in peace my brother I love you!!!"
Radio host Fred Musa shared Bab's post and wrote on X: "My condolences to his loved ones..."
Werenoi, who boasts more than 6.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, had the best-selling record in France in 2023.
Devastated fans took to social media to leave comments under his recent Instagram post.
One fan wrote: "Rest in peace the goat, one of the best gone too soon, courage to the family."
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Another commented: "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 may God protect you all."
Organisers of the Azar Club event, where the rapper was set to perform, had earlier written: "French rap's number one, Werenoi, is coming to the Azar Club in Lyon for an exclusive gig on Saturday, May 17th.
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"Werenoi has just released his new album, and for this first edition of JACKPOT, you'll be among the very first to experience it live.
"A unique evening, designed to make an impression, in one of the most iconic clubs on the Lyon scene."
French outlet Le Parisien opened its report on the rapper’s death with a sombre line: “The French music world is in mourning.”
Though Werenoi kept his personal life largely private, it was known that he grew up in the Paris suburb of Montreuil.
According to Le Parisien, there were "rumours about a sudden decline in his health" since Friday, after the rapper did not attend a gig.
The French rapper, of Cameroonian descent, had a number of popular tracks, including 'Scarface', 'Solitaire', 'Laboratoire', 'Chemin d'or' and 'Ciao' featuring Ninho.
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He had four albums to his name - his most recent 'Diamant noir' released just weeks ago.
He topped the album charts in 2023 with 'Carré' and again in 2024 with 'Pyramide', surpassing major artists like Indochine, Billie Eilish, Pierre Garnier, Jul, and Zaho de Sagazan.
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