French DJ Kavinsky, whose real name was Vincent Belorge, has been found dead at his Paris home at the age of 50. Police have confirmed that initial investigations ruled out any foul play.
Inquiry Opened After Headaches
The Paris prosecutor's office said: “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.” French newspaper Le Figaro reported that Kavinsky had been complaining of headaches for several days before his death, and police suspected he may have had a stroke. A neighbour, worried about not seeing the artist, alerted emergency services.
Career and Breakthrough
Born in Seine-Saint-Denis, just outside Paris, Kavinsky launched his career in the early 2000s. He briefly worked as an actor, appearing in Quentin Dupieux's short film Nonfilm (2001) and feature film Steak (2007), as well as a cameo in the French film Banger. He gained mainstream recognition after his song Nightcall was featured in the 2011 film Drive. Two years later he released his debut studio album, OutRun.
Electropop Pioneer and Olympics Performance
Known for other songs including Cameo, Outsider, and Renegade, Kavinsky was praised as a pioneer in the French electropop genre. He toured with Daft Punk and The Rapture during his career peak. His last release came in 2024 after performing Nightcall alongside Phoenix and Angèle at the 2024 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony. The trio released a re-recording that reached number 3 on the French singles chart. In 2025, the Irish rock band Inhaler released an acoustic guitar cover of the song for Triple J's Like A Version.
Tributes
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard paid tribute on X, saying: “With the sudden passing of Kavinsky, France has lost one of its most unique voices. From the film Drive to the Paris Olympics, the whole world was moved by Nightcall. Both danceable and nostalgic, his music will continue to transcend generations and borders.”
