Artist's Sudden Demise: "It's staggering, he was still climbing the artistic ladder", remarks Olivier Cachin.
A Shocking Loss: The Rise and Sudden Passing of Rapper Werenoi
Weekend, May 17th, we mourn the untimely demise of rap artist Jeremy Bana Owona, best known by his stage name Werenoi. This 31-year-old Montreuil native had a meteoric rise, garnering the title of France's top-selling album artist in 2023 and 2024, according to the Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (Snep) records.
: "Werenoi, Hamza, Jul, Ninho: The French Artists at the Top of the Best-Selling Albums in France in 2023" Quite frankly, Olivier Cachin, a renowned rap specialist, admits he wasn't overly familiar with Werenoi's discography, "He started his career very recently and very quickly he was at the top of the streams. I remember seeing his name in the best streamers of 2024 and very honestly I only knew one or two of his songs". The news of his passing comes as a shock, adding a somber tone to the industry.
"From Meteoric Rise to Unavoidable Star"
Werenoi's career took off rapidly, akin to Damso years prior. "He was a sure value to have a hit, because Werenoi in a feature was a certainty to have streams in the tens of millions", notes Cachin. This swift ascent is typical of today's prolific rappers. In the 15-20 years past, a new rapper might hope to perform at La Cigale in Paris; today, they can easily play at the Accor Arena or even La Défense Arena in less than a year, testifying to Werenoi's swift notoriety within the French rap scene.
"A Change in the Tide of French Rap"
According to Olivier Cachin, rap has undergone a significant transformation. "Today, it's a music that is much more melodic, much less blocked by this fear of the commercial". Topics have shifted from politics and militancy to ego trips and materialistic values, making the genre more danceable and mainstream-friendly. The focus now is less on social and political engagement, whereas, in the 90s, it was a significant aspect of French rap.
Today's artists don't require major TV stations or radio coverage to garner success unlike before, as the internet provides a platform for mainstream popularity and massive streams. With hits like "Guadalajara", "La League", "Scarface", and "Solitaire", Werenoi was a testament to this shift in the French rap scene.
[1]: Enrichment Data - Werenoi, a pioneer in French hip-hop, had a striking career. Born in 1994, he began making music in the late 2010s. His first EP, "Telegram", released in 2022, achieved gold certification in France. In 2023, his debut album, "Carré", topped the charts and earned him the Male Revelation of the Year award at the Flammes Awards. He subsequently released "Pyramide" and "Pyramide 2", both of which were successful with collaborations from artists like Damso and Aya Nakamura. His final album, "Diamant Noir", achieved over 4.7 million streams on Spotify France within 24 hours of its release.[2]: Enrichment Data - In addition to his music, Werenoi's distinctive voice and style captivated a large audience. His hits, such as "Scarface" and "Solitaire", became staples of French hip-hop. His sudden death at 31 left a gaping void in the French music industry, eliciting widespread tributes from fans and peers alike.
"Werenoi's Influence Spans Beyond the Realm of Music" Werenoi's impact transcended the boundaries of French rap, permeating the realm of pop-culture. His distinctive voice and style captivated audiences, immortalizing hits like "Scarface" and "Solitaire" as staples of French pop-culture.
"A Celebration of Entertainment, Music, and Cultural Shifts"
Werenoi's life and music epitomize the contemporary fusion of culture, entertainment, and music, symbolizing the shift in French rap and pop-culture. His sudden passing echoes a sorrowful note, prompting an outpour of tributes from fans, peers, and the industry. Despite his untimely demise, Werenoi's legacy persists, cementing him as a beacon in the French pop-culture entertainment landscape.
