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PARIS: French DJ and electronic music producer Kavinsky, best known for his internationally acclaimed track “Nightcall,” has been found dead at his home in Paris at the age of 50, French authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The artist, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, was discovered at his residence on Tuesday evening. The Paris prosecutor’s office said an investigation has been opened to determine the cause of death, adding that first responders found no evidence of suspicious circumstances at the scene.
Kavinsky rose to global prominence with his 2010 synthwave hit “Nightcall,” which gained worldwide recognition after being featured in the critically acclaimed 2011 film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. The song became a defining track of the modern electronic music scene and helped establish Kavinsky as one of France’s most influential electronic artists.
His career experienced a renewed surge in popularity after he performed “Nightcall” during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, introducing his music to a new global audience. The performance sparked a revival of the song, which once again climbed music charts and streaming platforms.
Known for his distinctive retro-futuristic sound inspired by 1980s film scores and synth-driven electronic music, Kavinsky became a prominent figure in the French electronic music movement. Throughout his career, he collaborated with several renowned artists and earned widespread acclaim for blending cinematic storytelling with electronic production.
Tributes from fellow musicians, fans, and figures across the music industry began pouring in following news of his death, with many praising his lasting influence on electronic music and his contribution to the global popularity of the synthwave genre.
French authorities said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing.
