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French DJ and electropop musician Kavinsky dies aged 50
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Published
French DJ and electro-house pop musician Kavinsky has been found dead at his home in Paris aged 50.
The star, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, enjoyed a slow-burning cult hit with his 2010 track Nightcall, which soundtracked the opening credits to the stylish neo-noir crime movie Drive, starring Ryan Gosling.
After being performed at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, the modern synthwave hit became the most Shazamed song in a single day of the music identifying app’s history.
President of France Emmanuel Macron led the tributes to the late DJ, posting on Facebook, external that Kavinsky was “a source of French pride forever”.
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard added on X, external: “With the sudden passing of Kavinsky, France has lost one of its most unique voices.”
She added: “From the film Drive to the Paris Olympics, the whole world was moved by Nightcall . Both danceable and nostalgic, his music will continue to transcend generations and borders.”
The Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement that Kavinsky had been found dead at his home in the French captial, Reuters and French media outlets reported.
The BBC has contacted the DJ’s representatives for confirmation.
French newspaper Le Figaro reported Kavinsky had been complaining of headaches for several days, and authorities think he may have had a stroke.
No suspicious items were discovered at the scene by the first responders and Paris prosecutors have now opened an investigation to determine the cause of death, the outlet said.
Self-taught pianist Belorgey, who was born in Seine-Saint-Denis – just outside of the city of Paris – launched his career in the early 2000s, opening for French electro pioneers Daft Punk.
Kavinsky – his red-eyed zombie DJ alter ego – was part of the second wave of influential “French Touch” artists including the likes of Justice and Sebastian.
Nightcall was produced with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, mixed by Sebastian and sung by Brazilian singer Lovefoxxx.
At Paris 2024, though, Belgian singer Angèle took on lead vocal duties, performing a memorable version of the track, external alongside Kavinsky and French band Phoenix.
