The late Kavinsky once told NME that another collaboration with The Weeknd was likely to arrive “soon”.
The French electronic producer, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, has died at the age of 50, after being found at his home in Paris on Tuesday evening (July 28). The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the cause of death, but said that first responders found “no suspicious elements” at the scene.
Kavinsky was best known for his synthwave sound and his breakout track ‘Nightcall’, which featured on the soundtrack to Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling.
Kavinsky also joined forces with The Weeknd in 2013 on a version of the song ‘Odd Look’, and speaking to NME in February 2022, the producer suggested that another collaboration could be in the works.
“My friend Prince 85 introduced me to him,” he said. “He was one of his collaborators and producers.”
“I happened to just love his voice when I heard it, so we did our track together back then very easily, very simply. This was way before he became super huge and was really accessible and available.”
Kavinsky went on to reveal that the pair had been discussing the possibility of working together again “for a long time”.
“So something might happen – something might happen very probably,” he told NME. “It’s happening soon, and he is still such a nice guy.”
No further collaboration between the two artists was released during Kavinsky’s lifetime, and it is not known whether they completed any additional material together.
Following news of his death, The Weeknd paid tribute to the producer and described him as an inspiration.
“So heartbreaking to hear the news,” he wrote. “An inspiration to so many, including myself. I will continue to honour your name and your music. Rest easy Kavinsky.”
