The music world has been left shaken by the news that SOPHIE has died, aged 34.
Scottish musician, DJ and record producer SOPHIE was commonly regarded to be one of the most important figures working in electronic pop music today.
The news was confirmed by her team, who wrote: “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.
“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.”
The statement continued: “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 performing at Coachella in 2019
(Getty Images for Coachella)
SOPHIE shot to fame with the songs “Bipp” and “Lemonade” and received acclaim for her 2018 Grammy nominated debut album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides.
The nomination saw her become the first openly trans artist to be nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
SOPHIE – real name Sophie Xeon – kept her identity hidden until the release of a music video for “It’s Okay to Cry” in 2017.
Until then, many reports had attempted to guess who she was.
The musicians she worked alongside throughout her career included Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Madonna.
Paying tribute to the musician, French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens hailed Sophie as “a stellar producer, a visionary [and] a reference”.
She added: “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.”
