French DJ and electro‑house pop pioneer Kavinsky (real name Vincent Belorgey) was found dead in his Paris home on Sunday, aged 50. The 50‑year‑old beatmaker, known as the red‑eyed zombie DJ alter‑ego, stunned the music world with his unexpected passing.
Kavinsky’s breakout hit, the 2010 synth‑wave single Nightcall, became a cultural touchstone after it was used for the opening credits of the neo‑noir film Drive. The track’s haunting melody and pulsing beat made it a staple in European clubs and a staple in the collective memory of movie‑music fans.
He performed with the song and his alter‑ego at the closing ceremony of Paris 2024, where the track went on to become the most‑Shazamed song in the app’s history in a single day. The performance helped cement Kavinsky’s place in the cultural legacy of the Games.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard publicly mourned the loss, describing Kavinsky as a source of French pride and an artist whose music transcended generations and borders.
The Paris prosecutor’s office reported that investigators found no suspicious circumstances at the scene; authorities suspect an undiagnosed stroke, following reports that the DJ had suffered from headaches for several days. An investigation has been opened to determine the official cause of death.
Self‑taught on the piano, Belorgey cut his teeth in the early 2000s by opening for the French electro pioneers Daft Punk. He later joined the second wave of acclaimed “French Touch” artists, including Justice and Sebastian.
The original version of Nightcall was produced by Guy‑Manuel de Homem‑Christo of Daft Punk, mixed by vocalist Sebastian, and recorded with Brazilian singer Lovefoxxx. The 2024 Olympic rendition featured Belgian singer Angèle on lead vocals alongside Phoenix.
