French DJ Kavinsky — real name Vincent Belorgey — has died at his home in Paris, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed. According to one source, he was found dead on Tuesday evening, with no suspicious elements found at the scene.
Born on 31 July 1975, the self-taught pianist hailed from Seine-Saint-Denis, outside Paris, though one source states Paris. The suspected cause of death is a stroke, according to a police source and Le Figaro, but other reports say the cause remains unknown or under investigation. Kavinsky had complained of headaches for several days prior.
Kavinsky launched his career in the early 2000s opening for Daft Punk and was part of the 'French Touch' electronic music movement. He is best known for his 2010 track 'Nightcall', co-produced with Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and featuring Brazilian singer Lovefoxxx. The song gained global fame after being used in the opening credits of the 2011 film Drive.
His debut album 'Outrun' reached No. 2 on the French album charts in 2013, according to one source, and his second album 'Reborn' followed in 2022. In 2024, he performed 'Nightcall' at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics alongside Angèle and Phoenix — though another source claims it was the opening ceremony — after which the song became the most Shazamed track in a single day in Shazam's history.
'A source of French pride forever.'
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute, calling him 'a source of French pride forever'. Culture Minister Catherine Pégard said: 'France has lost one of its most distinctive voices.'
Kavinsky's alter ego was a red-eyed zombie DJ who died in a car crash. He also collaborated with The Weeknd, who appeared on a version of his song 'Odd Look' according to one source. Kavinsky would have turned 51 on Friday, 31 July.