French Producer Kavinsky, Known for ‘Drive’ Soundtrack Song, Found Dead in Paris at Age 50 — Billboard

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

French producer Kavinsky has died at the age of 50.

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The news was first reported by French publication Le Figaro , which stated that the artist, born Vincent Belorgey, was found dead in his Paris home on the night of Tuesday, July 28, at around 10:30 p.m. local time.

“An inquiry into the cause of death has been opened to determine the circumstances of the death, as first responders found no suspicious elements at the scene,” the prosecutor said, according to USA Today .

Le Figaro reported that a stroke is being considered as a possible cause of death, as a police source indicated that Kavinsky had reportedly been complaining of headaches for several days. Law enforcement was alerted to the scene by a neighbor who became concerned after not seeing the artist.

Kavinsky is closely affiliated with the electronic music movement that exploded out of Paris in the early and mid-2000s. Alongside artists such as Justice, Braxe & Falcon, Breakbot, Sebastian, Busy P and other musicians affiliated with Paris’ Ed Banger Records, Kavinsky helped bring the sound to global audiences, releasing his era-defining hit “Nightcall” in 2010. The synthwave essential gained major traction when it appeared on the soundtrack for the Ryan Gosling film Drive in 2011. He is considered a founding member of the synthwave genre.

The song saw a streaming surge in 2024 when Kavinsky played it during the 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony Performance in Paris, where he performed the song with Belgian singer Angèle in an event that also featured artists including Phoenix and Air. According to data provided to Billboard by Shazam, during this performance, “Nightcall” generated what was then the most Shazamed minute ever for the app.

Friends and colleagues are remembering Kavinsky on social media. The producer’s label Because Music also posted a statement : “The whole Because family are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Vincent Belorgey, known to the world as Kavinsky. Our thoughts right now are with his family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with a true original.”

Meanwhile, French electronic pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre wrote on Instagram , “My Vincent, The night really brought you back too soon. I remember our nightcalls and our complicity and I keep you close to me my little brother in arms.”

French Producer Kavinsky, Known for ‘Drive’ Soundtrack Song, Found Dead in Paris at Age 50 — Billboard | AIPROPX