French DJ Kavinsky, who performed at the closing ceremony ‌of the ⁠Paris ⁠Olympics, found dead in Paris. Here's all about him and what we know about his death

French electronic music producer and DJ Vincent Pierre Claude Belorgey, known as Kavinsky, has died at the age of 50. He was reportedly found dead at his home in Paris.

Who was Kavinsky

Kavinsky's real name was Vincent Pierre Claude Belorgey. He was a foundational figure in the electronic music landscape. A self-taught pianist, he said to have popularized the modern synthwave aesthetic through a meticulously crafted retro-futuristic sound.

Born in Seine-Saint-Denis in 1975, Belorgey initially pursued a career in acting and featured in several films including Quentin Dupieux’s 2007 comedy Steak.


His debut single, "Testarossa Autodrive," was followed by the EPs Teddy Boy (2006) and 1986 (2007) but mainstream recognition arrived with his 2010 release Nightcall, made famous by the movie "Drive", featuring Ryan Gosling.

Kavinsky toured alongside major French electronic acts including Daft Punk, Justice and SebastiAn, helping establish himself within the "French Touch" electronic scene. His music drew heavily from 1980s action films, video games and sports cars.

His debut album OutRun came in 2013 after which he took a long hiatus only to come with his second album Return with Reborn in 2022.

He also played the song at the finale of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Kavinsky's death reason

According to reports, authorities have launched an investigation following Kavinsky's death in him home in Paris.

"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," a prosecutor was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Reports claimed that law enforcement officials currently suspect no foul play, though earlier reports indicated the musician suffered from severe head pain during his final days.

FAQs

1. Who was Kavinsky?
Kavinsky, whose real name was Vincent Pierre Claude Belorgey, was a French electronic music producer, DJ and composer.

2. What were Kavinsky's most famous songs?
Kavinsky was best known for Nightcall, which became an international hit after appearing in Drive. Other popular tracks include Testarossa Autodrive, ProtoVision, Odd Look, Dead Cruiser, and Roadgame. He released two studio albums—OutRun (2013) and Reborn (2022).

3. What was Kavinsky's cause of death?
The exact cause of Kavinsky's death has not been confirmed. French authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Prosecutors said first responders found no suspicious elements at the scene, and investigators currently do not suspect foul play.