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Music choice: Kavinsky, French electro icon behind Drive soundtrack
French DJ Kavinsky, creator of Nightcall from the Drive soundtrack, has died aged 50, prompting tributes to a defining figure in France’s electro scene
This month we honour the passing of a French musical talent, Kavinsky, who left his mark far beyond the borders of France, thanks to a now-iconic soundtrack song: Nightcall, the title tune to the 2011 film Drive.
The moody song, which featured vocals by Lovefoxxx, singer with the Brazilian band CSS, gained further global reach when it was featured at the closing ceremony of
the 2024 Olympics.
Belgian singer Angèle gave an acclaimed vocal performance, while Phoenix lent vocal and musical accompaniment.
When the French DJ and producer, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, died at his home in Paris on July 28 at the age of 50, the French public was shocked and saddened. Even President Macron praised the electro music artist, tweeting: “Kavinsky, a source of pride for France forever.”
He was part of an explosion of successful French electronic music in the 2010s that also included Daft Punk, Justice and Mr Oizo.
While he released two successful solo albums, for Nightcall he will be forever remembered as a significant French cultural figure.
