French DJ Kavinsky passes away at 50; President Emmanuel Macron pays tribute: ‘French pride forever’
French DJ Kavinsky, renowned for electro-pop hits like ‘Teddy Boy,’ ‘Nightcall,’ and 1986,’ passed away at the age of 50. The beloved musician was found unconscious at his Paris home on Tuesday evening, July 28, 2026. Authorities are determining the cause of his unexpected demise, but no foul play was reported. Many media outlets suggest he had been complaining about headaches for the last couple of days.
French DJ Kavinsky passes away at 50: Tributes by authorities
“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,” the Paris prosecutor said, according to Reuters. Many are left despondent after the unprecedented news. French President Emmanuel Macron led the condolences on social media. “Kavinsky, French pride forever,” the translated text read.
French Cultural Minister Catherine Pégard shared her tribute on X, “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.”
Who was DJ Kavinsky?
Born as Vincent Belorgey in Seine-Saint-Denis on July 31, 1975, DJ Kavinsky was a self-taught pianist who came into the limelight after opening for French electro pioneers Daft Punk. He collaborated with Ryan Gosling’s 2010 film ‘Drive’ with the track ‘Nightcall,’ garnering him appreciation across borders. He released two albums in his career: ‘OutRun’ in 2013 and ‘Reborn’ in 2022. Kavinsky’s recent monumental work was at the closing ceremony of the Paris Summer Games 2024 as part of a celebration of French electronic music at the Stade de France. He was scheduled to play at events in France, Mexico and L.A. in the forthcoming months.
