Scottish DJ and producer SOPHIE has died following a sudden accident this morning (January 30).
An official statement from the artist’s team has confirmed the news to NME. SOPHIE was 34.
“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.”
“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.”
In a separate statement, SOPHIE’s family revealed the cause of her death, writing: “Tragically our beautiful SOPHIE passed away this morning after a terrible accident. True to her spirituality she had climbed up to watch the full moon and accidentally slipped and fell. She will always be here with us.
“The family thank everyone for their love and support and request privacy at this devastating time.”
Tributes are being shared online in the wake of SOPHIE’s death. “Sophie was a stellar producer, a visionary, a reference,” Christine and the Queens tweeted in tribute.
“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.”
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 — Chris (@QueensChristine) January 30, 2021
Sam Smith added: “The world has lost an angel. A true visionary and icon of our generation. Your light will continue to inspire so many for generations to come. Thinking of Sophie’s family and friends at this hard time.”
Heartbreaking news. The world has lost an angel. A true visionary and icon of our generation. Your light will continue to inspire so many for generations to come. Thinking of Sophie’s family and friends at this hard time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7qr4aI0DDi — samsmith (@samsmith) January 30, 2021
Nile Rodgers said: “#RestInPower SOPHIE! You were one of the most innovative, dynamic, and warm persons I had the pleasure of working with at 2019 @southbankcentre”
#RestInPower SOPHIE! You were one of the most innovative, dynamic, and warm persons I had the pleasure of working with at 2019 @southbankcentre pic.twitter.com/uzsv0EAWxx — Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) January 30, 2021
Activist Munroe Bergdorf also paid tribute to SOPHIE, writing: “Our community has lost an icon, a pioneer and a visionary bright light. Heartbroken. SOPHIE you will be missed.
“Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope we get to meet again one day. Rest in peace sister.”
Our community has lost an icon, a pioneer and a visionary bright light. Heartbroken. SOPHIE you will be missed. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope we get to meet again one day. Rest in peace sister ✨ pic.twitter.com/ATZONIGgMY — Protect Trans Kids / BLM ✊🏾 (@MunroeBergdorf) January 30, 2021
Shygirl, who shared her new SOPHIE-produced track ‘SLIME’ last October, added: “tell people you love them when you can.”
tell people you love them when you can. — SHYGIRL (@0800shygirl) January 30, 2021
Berlin-based label PAN also paid tribute, writing: “Rest in Power you incredible human,” while Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite hailed SOPHIE as a “huge talent” and that the death was “dreadfully sad news”.
Rest in Power you incredible human 💔 pic.twitter.com/qnxHwivvYw — PAN (@PAN_hq) January 30, 2021
This is dreadfully sad news. What a huge talent. https://t.co/rClGvjVpGw — stuart braithwaite (@plasmatron) January 30, 2021
“Thank you for the creations you left us with in this world,” Kelly Lee Owens added. See a number of tributes to SOPHIE below.
RIP SOPHIE. A huge loss. Thank you for the creations you left us with in this world 💔 — Kelly Lee Owens (@kellyleeowens) January 30, 2021
RIP a queer icon and a musical pioneer, SOPHIE you changed people's lives 💔 — GIRLI (@GIRLImusic) January 30, 2021
Sorry to hear about the passing of Sophie. A phenomenal artist I loved playing. I was lucky to meet her at the Aim Awards when she won the Innovator awardin 2018 and got to tell her how much I loved her productions. My thoughts are with her friends and family. RIP. https://t.co/aPQECw79Su — Huw Stephens (@huwstephens) January 30, 2021
was lucky enough to share a stage w sophie twice in my lifetime, & even beyond her music, her energy, such a kind person, a joy to watch perform. i always think of her playing at the moma w bubbles floating thru the air anytime i listen to her music lol. i don’t wanna believe it — BIGMUTHA 🤮 (@bbymutha) January 30, 2021
RIP SOPHIE. Tragic news — Daniel Avery (@danielmarkavery) January 30, 2021
so saddening to hear about SOPHIE. she will be so missed but her influence will last and grow. — Declan McKenna (@DeclanMcKenna) January 30, 2021
what a privilege it was to share moments with u backstage at Pop 2 London 😔 thank u SOPHIE for everything pic.twitter.com/wZ5aNIwtlL — RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) January 30, 2021
Thank you Sophie Rest In Power!
You will always be remembered as a true game changer, powerful presence and an incredibly original producer ! Your music and production brought me so much joy! pic.twitter.com/VZ1v9UNSb5 — Peaches (@peaches) January 30, 2021
Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in peace Sophie 💔 pic.twitter.com/CWiNOwaC5Q — SG Lewis (@SGLewis_) January 30, 2021
From the moment I discovered @SOPHIEMSMSMSM , Sophie’s work has been a profound source of inspiration & reference to me. Incredibly stimulating, pure proof that any genre can still be pushed in untapped ways, it was impossible not to be stimulated by Sophie once acquainted. — Oliver Sykes (@olobersyko) January 30, 2021
I’m devastated to hear of @SOPHIEMSMSMSM ‘s passing. R.I.P — Oliver Sykes (@olobersyko) January 30, 2021
i am very saddened to hear the news of sophie's passing today. she was a true visionary https://t.co/a7oRlUQuyV — Kele Okereke (@keleokereke) January 30, 2021
Born in Glasgow, SOPHIE released a number of singles and projects on labels such as Numbers across the 2010s. The artist’s debut album ‘OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES’ was released via Transgressive back in 2018, and subsequently nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2019 Grammys.
SOPHIE was also a prominent part of the PC Music label, and has worked on music with Madonna, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Vince Staples, Kim Petras, Arca and many more.
Last summer, SOPHIE debuted new music at a livestreamed show, contributed to the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack and launched a new project called Analemma with Juliana Huxtable.
F-O on January 30th, 2021 at 14:10 UTC »
This is tragic news for the world of music. I listened to "OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES" for the first time two years ago and I have honestly never experienced another album such as this one in my life. I spent the whole time going from "can this even be called music?" to "this is a masterpiece". This is usually the sign of a genius at work imo.
RIP
a3poify on January 30th, 2021 at 12:26 UTC »
One of SOPHIE's labels put out a statement explaining what happened. What an incredible and sudden loss.
BinaryPill on January 30th, 2021 at 12:15 UTC »
I hardly follow her music, but this one still hits harder than most. I get the sense she had only really just started and had a lot more to say and give, and she would've become a bigger name over time as the style she helped pioneer has really started to take off. She leaves the world an icon in her own way, but there's this sense of missed potential that stings. RIP.