French electro-pop composer Kavinsky, born Vincent Belorgey, has died at the age of 50. He was found dead at his home in Paris on Tuesday evening after a concerned neighbor alerted emergency services.
The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that an investigation has been opened into the cause of death, though first responders did not regard it as suspicious. A police source indicated that the suspected cause of death was a stroke, noting that Belorgey had reportedly been complaining of headaches in recent days.
A leading figure in the house music movement known as French Touch, Kavinsky was best known for his haunting 2010 track Nightcall, which achieved iconic status after appearing in the 2011 film Drive starring Ryan Gosling. Most recently, he performed the song at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside Belgian singer Angèle and the French band Phoenix.
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard described the performer as one of France’s most singular voices, stating his danceable and nostalgic music will continue to resonate across generations and borders. President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to the musician, writing that Kavinsky is forever a source of French pride.