Groundbreaking artist and producer, SOPHIE, has passed away today. She was 34 years old.
The news was confirmed by her team in a statement given to Mixmag, revealing that she passed away in Athens early this morning after a “sudden accident”.
“It is with profound sadness that I have to inform you that musician and producer SOPHIE passed away this morning around 4am in Athens, where the artist had been living, following a sudden accident,” the statement reads.
“At this time respect and privacy for the family is our priority. We would also ask for respect for her fanbase, and to treat the private nature of this news with sensitivity.”
“Known for her incredibly experimental and boundary-pushing take on both pop and electronic music, SOPHIE is often credited as being a pioneering artist in both genres, as well as for the trans and queer community at large.
“SOPHIE was a pioneer of a new sound, one of the most influential artists in the last decade. Not only for ingenious production and creativity but also for the message and visibility that was achieved. An icon of liberation.”
SOPHIE made her explosive debut in 2013, gaining attention from artists and critics alike with her song ‘Bipp’. She would later release her first compilation album Product in 2015, which featured tracks like ‘Lemonade’ and ‘Vyzee’. She would go on to release her debut album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides in 2018, which received widespread critical acclaim, was deemed by redditors as one of the best electronic albums of the 2010s and was nominated for a Grammy in 2019.
Even if you aren’t familiar with SOPHIE’s discography, you’re definitely familiar with some of the artists she’s worked with and produced for. Her list of collaborators include, but aren’t limited to: Flume, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX, Camila Cabello, Cashmere Cat, MØ, Diplo, Vince Staples, Arca and many more.
Many artists have taken to share their tributes to SOPHIE on social media. View just some of them below.
Rest In Peace, SOPHIE.
Sophie was a stellar producer, a visionary, a reference. She rebelled against the narrow, normative society by being an absolute triumph, both as an artist and as a woman. I can’t believe she is gone. We need to honor and respect her memory and legacy. Cherish the pioneers. pic.twitter.com/3kyRl1KabY
— ?? (@QueensChristine) January 30, 2021
RIP SOPHIE 🙁https://t.co/grsCm2GgeP
— MNEK (@MNEK) January 30, 2021
rip Sophie is this real
— ALISON WONDERLAND (@awonderland) January 30, 2021
no one influenced my music more.
— slayyyter (@slayyyter) January 30, 2021
A devastating loss for the global music community and the future of music. Impossible to put into words.
— ✨ (@brendanmacleans) January 30, 2021
