Kavinsky Dies at 50: Second Collaboration with The Weeknd Never Materialized
French electronic music producer Kavinsky (real name Vincent Belorgey) was found dead at his home in Paris on the evening of Monday, July 28, 2026. He was 50. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the cause of death but said first responders found "no suspicious signs" at the scene. The Weeknd posted a tribute on social media shortly after the news broke, prompting renewed attention to a second collaboration between the two artists that was reportedly in the works but never released.
An unfinished collaboration with The Weeknd
Kavinsky and The Weeknd's history goes back to 2013, when they released "Odd Look" together. In a February 2022 interview with NME, Kavinsky said the connection came through a mutual friend, Prince 85, and that he was drawn to The Weeknd's voice immediately — "he wasn't as huge as he is now, so he was very reachable and had a lot of time."
In that same interview, Kavinsky said the two had been discussing a follow-up collaboration "for a long time" and stated plainly that it was "coming soon," adding that The Weeknd "is still a very nice guy." As of Kavinsky's death, that collaboration was never released, and it is not known whether any recorded material exists.
Following the news, The Weeknd wrote on social media that Kavinsky was "an inspiration to so many, including myself," and pledged to "keep honoring your name and your music."
"Nightcall" and Kavinsky's legacy
Kavinsky is best known for "Nightcall," co-produced with Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and featuring vocals from Lovefoxxx of CSS. The track served as the opening theme for Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 film Drive, starring Ryan Gosling, and later appeared on Kavinsky's 2013 debut album OutRun.
In the NME interview, Kavinsky admitted the sudden success of "Nightcall" left him fearful: "I was scared to imagine where my music would go after that success." He chose to step back and return at his own pace, eventually releasing his second album, Reborn, in March 2022 — nine years after his debut.
At the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kavinsky performed "Nightcall" alongside Phoenix and Belgian singer Angèle. That performance went on to set an all-time record for the most Shazam identifications in a single day, and the three artists subsequently released a new version of the song.