Vincent Belorgey, the French DJ and producer known globally as Kavinsky, was found dead at his home in Paris on Tuesday evening, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed on Wednesday. He was 50 years old.
The prosecutor's office stated that an investigation has been opened to determine the cause of death, adding that no suspect was present at the scene. Belorgey would have turned 51 on 31 July.
Kavinsky emerged as a defining figure of the French touch movement, the electronic music wave that also produced Daft Punk, Justice, Cassius, and DJ Mehdi. His signature sound—dark, cinematic synthwave—earned him a devoted following far beyond France.
A career defined by 'Nightcall'
His most famous track, Nightcall, became an anthem after it was featured on the soundtrack of the 2011 thriller Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. The slow-tempo, brooding song captured the mood of the film and introduced Kavinsky to a global audience. It later enjoyed a resurgence during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, when he performed it live at the Stade de France alongside Belgian singer Angèle and the pop-rock band Phoenix during the closing ceremony.
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard paid tribute on social media, writing: “France has lost one of its most distinctive voices. Both danceable and nostalgic, his music will go on crossing generations and borders.”
Born in Seine-Saint-Denis, Belorgey was a self-taught pianist who launched his career in the early 2000s. He opened for Daft Punk and shared stages with other rising electronic acts such as SebastiAn. His work often blended retro-futuristic aesthetics with a melancholic edge, setting him apart from the more upbeat strains of French house.
Kavinsky's death marks the loss of another major talent from a generation of French electronic musicians who reshaped global dance music. The investigation into his death continues, with authorities yet to release further details.
