Kavinsky – the French producer finest referred to as a trailblazer within the synthwave scene, and for his megahit, Nightcall – has been discovered useless aged 50, studies say.
In response to French information outlet Le Figaro [via NME], the musician was found by authorities at his house in Paris, France, after a involved neighbour contacted emergency providers to report that they hadn’t seen him in a number of days.
Le Figaro writes that Kavinsky – actual identify Vincent Belorgey – had complained to these near him about struggling extreme complications currently, and that the reason for loss of life is believed to have been a stroke.
One other French outlet, France24 has shared a press release issued by police surrounding the loss of life of the DJ, saying an investigation had been opened, however that “no suspicious parts have been found on the scene by the primary responders”.
A synthwave icon and veteran of the French digital music scene, Kavinsky’s massive break got here with the inclusion of his observe Nightcall within the opening credit of the now-cult film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling.
The music has a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of performs throughout streaming platforms, little question bolstered closely by Kavinsky’s efficiency of the observe throughout the 2024 Olympics closing ceremony. Following the efficiency, Nightcall broke the file as essentially the most Shazam’d music in a single day.
Nightcall positioned Kavinsky on the map, resulting in a collaboration with one of many world’s largest stars the Weeknd on the observe Odd Look.
Elsewhere, heavy metallic band Avenged Sevenfold have featured the music because the intro to their stay exhibits for the previous few years, and it little question influences among the avant-garde vocal traces on their controversial new EP, STATICA.
Former French Secretary of State for European Affairs and Minister for Transport Clément Beaune has paid tribute to Belorgey, writing on X: “From Odd Look to Nightcall, and with a lot emotion throughout the Video games, Kavinsky made generations dance. And he’ll proceed to make many extra dance.”
Tributes have been flooding the web following the announcement of Kavinsky’s sudden loss of life:
Triste nouvelle, le DJ et producteur Kavinsky nous a quittés à l’âge de 50 ans. 🖤
Determine incontournable de la French Contact, il était notamment à l’origine du tube “Nightcall”, emblématique générique du movie “Drive”. pic.twitter.com/FkUnQ3xO3l
— CANAL+ (@canalplus) July 29, 2026
relaxation in peace kavinsky💔you have been very type and had a superb imaginative and prescient/story. i’m so heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/4f4OqLOZxS
— cris 🌐 (@gesaffelsteyen) July 29, 2026
Kavinsky Eternally.
Nightcall Eternally.
French Contact Eternally. pic.twitter.com/rVJScDHhHf— Jack (@JackCanalPlus) July 29, 2026
Sam is the Affiliate Information Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Completely immersed in music tradition for almost all of his life, Sam has performed guitar for 20 years, studied music know-how and manufacturing at college, and in addition written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Whole Guitar and Steel Hammer.
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