Nightcall artist Kavinsky dies at 50 after redefining electronic music

French DJ Kavinsky, known for Drive’s iconic song Nightcall, dies at 50 after shaping the global synthwave scene

French electronic music producer and DJ Kavinsky, best known for his iconic song “Nightcall” from Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 film Drive, has died at the age of 50.

The musician was found dead at his home in Paris on Tuesday, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Born Vincent Belorgey in Seine-Saint-Denis, France, in 1975, Kavinsky became one of the most recognisable figures in the French electro and synthwave movements. His breakout track “Nightcall,” produced with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and featuring vocals from Lovefoxxx of Brazilian band CSS, gained worldwide attention after opening Drive and became a defining song of the 2010s electronic music era.

Although Kavinsky had already built a reputation in France’s electronic music scene, the success of “Nightcall” turned him into an international cult favourite. The track’s cinematic sound, inspired by 1980s films, arcade games and retro aesthetics, helped establish the growing popularity of the synthwave genre.

Kavinsky created a fictional persona based around a mysterious undead driver who returned after a fatal Ferrari crash to make music. He released several influential projects through the French label Record Makers, including the EPs Teddy Boy, 1986 and Nightcall.

His debut studio album OutRun arrived in 2013 and further developed his signature retro-futuristic style. After a lengthy break from music, he returned with his second album Reborn in 2022.

The artist’s influence extended beyond commercial success, inspiring a new generation of producers with his cinematic electronic sound. His legacy was further celebrated when he performed “Nightcall” with Phoenix and Angèle during the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony.