French rapper Prince Waly, whose real name was Moussa Magassa, passed away at the age of 34 after a long illness, as confirmed by his family and his record label. He had been fighting for eight years against a rare autoimmune disease called paraneoplastic pemphigus, which is often linked to underlying cancers and causes painful blisters and sores on the skin and in the mouth and other mucous membranes. The rapper was born in Montreuil in 1991 and started his music career in 2012 with the group Big Budha Cheez, working alongside his friend Fiasko Proximo on their first EP, Ma Routine roule à M.City. He later released three solo EPs—Junior (2016), BO YZ (2019), and BO YZ Vol.2 (2023)—before his debut solo album, Moussa, in 2022. This album, considered a significant milestone in his career, featured collaborations with artists such as Feu! Chatterton, Jazzy Bazz, and Luidji. Before his battle with paraneoplastic pemphigus, Prince Waly had been diagnosed with thymus cancer in 2019, which caused him to lose his voice and kept him away from the recording studio for at least two years. He announced his recovery at the end of 2021, but later developed paraneoplastic pemphigus, a rare autoimmune condition. This disease is marked by painful blisters and sores on the skin and mucous membranes and is often associated with underlying cancers, especially those involving the lymphatic system. According to the Orphanet website, paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare form of autoimmune skin disease, and it is fatal in about 90 percent of cases. The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to severe complications such as infections, respiratory failure, and worsening of the underlying cancer. In September 2026, Prince Waly announced that he was suffering from the disease and had lost 28 kilograms in just four months. His record label shared a statement on Instagram announcing his death, saying that the past few years had been a battle, but also a time of great achievement, as he continued to create and share his music despite his illness. His wife, Enchantée Julia, whom he married in 2023, was by his side throughout his struggle, along with his family and close friends. The statement paid tribute to his legacy, saying that Moussa would continue to live through his music and the love of those who knew him. His loved ones described him as a deeply sensitive, kind, and elegant person who was cherished by all who had the chance to meet him.