Kavinsky, the stage name of French DJ and electronic musician Vincent Belorgey, has been found dead at his residence in Paris at the age of 50. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the discovery, and authorities are investigating the cause of death. French media reports suggest he may have experienced a stroke following several days of headaches, though no suspicious circumstances were identified at the scene.
Belorgey rose to prominence as a self-taught pianist from the outskirts of Paris who launched his career in the early 2000s as part of the influential French Touch electronic music movement. His breakthrough came with the 2010 track Nightcall, created in collaboration with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and featuring vocals from Brazilian singer Lovefoxxx. The song later became widely known through the opening credits of the 2011 film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. Following its performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony by Belgian singer Angèle, the track achieved a historic milestone by becoming the most Shazamed song in a single day.
Prominent figures in the music industry and French government have issued tributes acknowledging his significance. DJ David Guetta praised him as a true icon of French electronic music and credited him with creating a distinctive sound. President Emmanuel Macron described him as a source of French pride, while Culture Minister Catherine Pégard highlighted his unique artistic voice and the lasting global impact of his work.
Belorgey deliberately created the Kavinsky persona, featuring a red-eyed zombie character, to separate his artistic identity from his personal appearance. He collaborated with notable artists including The Weeknd on the track OddLook and London Grammar’s 2013 cover of Nightcall expanded his audience. The Mayor of Paris emphasized his role in elevating the French electronic music scene internationally.
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