French DJ Kavinsky, whose real name is Vincent Belorgey, has died at the age of 50. The Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the musician was found dead in his Paris apartment, following an emergency response to the scene that found no signs of violence or suspicious circumstances.
The prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. According to reports from the French newspaper Le Figaro, Kavinsky had been complaining of severe headaches in the days leading up to his death, leading authorities to suspect a possible stroke. Investigators are now reviewing medical records to confirm or refute this hypothesis.
Kavinsky rose to international fame in 2010 with the release of his single Nightcall, which became instantly recognisable following its feature in the opening credits of the film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. The track experienced a renewed surge in popularity following the 2024 Paris Olympics, when it was performed by Belgian singer Angèle alongside Kavinsky and the band Phoenix. At the time, the track became the most searched for on the Shazam app.
Vincent Belorgey was born in the Parisian suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis and was a self-taught pianist. He began his career in the early 2000s as a supporting act for the French electronic duo Daft Punk. His alter ego, described as a zombie DJ with red eyes, belongs to the second wave of the 'French Touch' movement, alongside artists such as Justice and Sebastian. The recording of Nightcall involved collaboration with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo from Daft Punk, who produced the track, while the mixing was handled by Sebastian, with vocals provided by the Brazilian singer Lovefoxxx.
The death of the prominent musician has triggered a wave of mourning in France. President Emmanuel Macron paid public tribute to Kavinsky, stating that the musician would forever remain a source of pride for France. The Minister for Culture, Catherine Parodi, also posted a message of condolence on the social media platform X, affirming the high level of respect held for the artist who had defined the French electronic music scene.
