Philippe Zdar of French house duo Cassius has died

The producer was 50.

French producer and DJ and Cassius member Philippe Zdar has died at the age of 50.

According to Resident Advisor, the musician – born Philippe Cerboneschi – had accidentally fallen from a high floor of a building in Paris yesterday, his agent Sebastien Farran told the Agence France-Presse. 

Cassius, Zdar’s duo with Hubert Blanc-Francard, was initially called La Funk Mob, found mainstream success with their single ‘Cassius 1999’. They are due to release a new album this Friday, ‘Dreems’, that Zdar had described as “a return to dance music” in an interview last year.

Zdar was one of the producers who worked on Hot Chip‘s forthcoming album, ‘A Bathful of Ecstasy’. He was also known for mixing and producing Phoenix‘s landmark 2009 album ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’, and over the course of his career, worked with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Cat Power, Robyn and more. He owned and operated a studio, Motorbass Studio, in Paris.

A number of Zdar’s friends and collaborators have since taken to social media to pay tribute.

“Totally devastated by the loss of my friend Phillipe Zdar,” wrote Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos. “Can’t really process it at the moment. Just feel awful. My heart goes out to his dear family and friends.”

He continued: “Philippe Zdar was a great inspiration, both as a producer, but particularly as a good man and friend. His taste was impeccable and is heard on everything he worked on. He had a huge joy for life, generosity and passion. I will miss him terribly.”

Savages singer Jehnny Beth, who interviewed Zdar for her Beats 1 show Start Making Sense, wrote: “Woke up to the devastating news. Philippe Zdar . After I stopped crying I remembered his light. I picked a picture of him in his studio (last one) because that’s where he always seemed at home and always made us feel welcome .

“We never had the chance to work together but we always said we would. Didn’t get the chance… All the energy he put into music will be forever an inspiration . We miss you. I will never be able to walk through the 9th district of Paris again without thinking of you. RIP. All my love goes to his family and friends .”

Hot Chip added: “Hearing of the death of Philippe Zdar has left us stunned and immensely sad.  He was a kind, open and endlessly enthusiastic man who brought happiness to everyone around him. We are deeply sorry for his family and friends.

“Au revoir Phillippe, et merci X”

Phoenix simply posted a black square in his memory. See

Other musicians such as Calvin Harris, Rostam, Hudson Mohawke and Black Madonna have also posted on social media mourning and remembering Zdar.