An icon of the French electronic music scene has passed away. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the news to our colleagues at franceinfo: the body of Vincent Belorgey, 50, was discovered Tuesday at his home. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of his death, but no suspicious evidence has been found at the scene so far. The news immediately sparked a wave of tributes in the music and film worlds, as the artist had left such a lasting mark on pop culture over the past two decades.
“Nightcall,” the track that made Kavinsky a legend thanks to *Drive*
It’s impossible to talk about Kavinsky without mentioning “Nightcall.” Released in 2010, the track gained widespread recognition as the opening theme for *Drive*, Nicolas Winding Refn ’s cult film starring Ryan Gosling. This track, co-written with Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk), catapulted Kavinsky to the status of an icon of retro-futuristic electronic music, filled with pop culture references such as movie and video game soundtracks from the 1980s.
Beyond this global hit, Kavinsky built a solid discography, ranging from his debut album *OutRun* (2013) to tracks like “Roadgame”—featured in numerous commercials—which established him as one of the most recognizable sounds of the new generation of French Touch.
The memorable duet with Angèle at the 2024 Paris Olympics
A highlight of his recent career: Kavinsky performed “Nightcall” on stage alongsideAngèle and the band Phoenix during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was a performance that left a lasting impression and served as a reminder to a global audience.
Kavinsky had also ventured into film, notably alongside his longtime friend Quentin Dupieux in the movie *Steak*. With his passing, an entire generation of electronic music and film enthusiasts has lost one of its ambassadors.