French DJ Kavinsky Dies at 50—From Drive to Olympics

Sun Sep 06 2026 13:24:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

French electro‑pop star Kavinsky, famous for the hit "Nightcall", passes away after a career that spanned films and the Paris Olympics.

Vincent Belorgey, better known as Kavinsky, died in his Paris home at age 50, marking the loss of a pioneer in French electronic music. The synth‑heavy track "Nightcall" became iconic through the film Drive and later topped Shazam charts during the Paris 2024 closing ceremony. President Emmanuel Macron and Culture Minister Catherine Pégard paid national tributes, underlining Kavinsky’s impact on French culture. Early reports point to a probable stroke, though authorities have opened a formal investigation into the circumstances of his death.

French DJ Kavinsky Dies at 50—From Drive to Olympics

Vincent Belorgey, known worldwide as Kavinsky, was found dead in his Paris home at age 50.

The electro‑house icon rose to fame with the 2010 track Nightcall, which helped launch the stylish neo‑noir film Drive and later became the most‑shazamed song on a single day during the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony.

National leaders paid tribute: President Emmanuel Macron posted on Facebook that Kavinsky was “a source of French pride forever,” while Culture Minister Catherine Pégard called his loss a blow to France’s uniquely vibrant music scene.

Early indications suggest a stroke may have caused his death, with the Paris prosecutor’s office noting complaints of headaches in the days prior. Authorities have opened a formal investigation, but no suspicious activities were reported at his residence.

Kavinsky’s journey began in Seine‑Saint‑Denis, where he honed his piano skills before opening for Daft Punk in the early 2000s. His red‑eyed zombie DJ persona made him a key figure in the French Touch movement alongside acts like Justice and SebastiAn.

He co‑produced "Nightcall" with Daft Punk’s Guy‑Manuel de Homem‑Christo and featured Lovefoxxx on vocals, later re‑imagined for the Olympics with Belgian singer Angèle and the French band Phoenix.