Scottish DJ and producer SOPHIE died after a sudden accident this morning (January 30).
An official statement from the artist’s team confirmed the news to NME. SOPHIE was 34 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that I must inform you that the musician and producer SOPHIE passed away this morning around 4 am in Athens, where the artist lived, after a sudden accident,” says the statement.
“Right now, family respect and privacy are our priority. We would also ask for respect for your fan base and treat the private nature of this news with sensitivity. “
“SOPHIE was a pioneer in a new sound, one of the most influential artists of the last decade. Not only for ingenious production and creativity, but also for the message and visibility that has been achieved. A release icon. “
In a separate statement, SOPHIE’s family revealed the cause of his death, writing: “Tragically, our beautiful SOPHIE passed away this morning after a terrible accident. True to her spirituality, she climbed to see the full moon and accidentally slipped and fell. She will always be here with us.
“The family thanks everyone for their love and support and asks for privacy at this devastating time.”
Tributes are being shared online after SOPHIE’s death. “Sophie was a stellar producer, a visionary, a reference,” Christine and the Queens tweeted in tribute.
“She rebelled against narrow and normative society for being an absolute triumph, both as an artist and as a woman. I can’t believe that she’s gone.
“We need to honor and respect his memory and legacy. Value the pioneers. “
Sophie was a stellar producer, a visionary, a reference. She rebelled against narrow and normative society for being an absolute triumph, both as an artist and as a woman. I can’t believe that she’s gone. We need to honor and respect his memory and legacy. Value the pioneers. pic.twitter.com/3kyRl1KabY
– Chris (@QueensChristine) January 30, 2021
Activist Munroe Bergdorf also paid tribute to SOPHIE, writing: “Our community has lost an icon, a pioneer and a bright visionary light. With a broken heart. SOPHIE, you will be missed.
“Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope we can meet again one day. Rest in peace, sister. “
Our community has lost an icon, a pioneer and a brilliant visionary light.
With a broken heart.
SOPHIE, you will be missed. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope we can meet again one day. Rest in peace sister ✨ pic.twitter.com/ATZONIGgMY
– Protect trans / BLM children ✊🏾 (@MunroeBergdorf) January 30, 2021
Shygirl, who shared her new track ‘SLIME’ produced by SOPHIE last October, added: “Tell people that you love them when you can.”
tell people that you love them when you can.
– SHYGIRL (@ 0800shygirl) January 30, 2021
The Berlin label PAN also paid tribute, writing: “Rest in power, you incredible human”, while Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite hailed SOPHIE as a “great talent” and that death was “terribly sad news”.
Rest in power, you incredible human 💔 pic.twitter.com/qnxHwivvYw
– PAN (@PAN_hq) January 30, 2021
This is terribly sad news. What a great talent. https://t.co/rClGvjVpGw
– stuart braithwaite (@plasmatron) January 30, 2021
“Thank you for the creations you left us in this world,” Kelly Lee Owens added. See a series of tributes to SOPHIE below.
RIP SOPHIE. A great loss. Thank you for the creations you left us 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
I’m sorry to hear about Sophie’s passing. A phenomenal artist that I loved playing. I was fortunate to meet her at the Aim Awards, when she won the Innovator award in 2018 and I was able to tell her how much I loved her productions. My thoughts are with your friends and family. REST IN PEACE. https://t.co/aPQECw79Su
– Huw Stephens (@huwstephens) January 30, 2021
I was fortunate enough to share the stage with sofie twice in my life, and even beyond her music, her energy, such a kind person, a joy to watch a performance. I always think of her playing on the moma with bubbles floating in the air every time I hear her music lol. I don’t want to believe that
– BIGMUTHA 🤮 (@bbymutha) January 30, 2021
RIP SOPHIE. Tragic news
– Daniel Avery (@danielmarkavery) January 30, 2021
so sad to hear about SOPHIE. it will be missed, but its influence will last and grow.
– Declan McKenna (@DeclanMcKenna) January 30, 2021
what a privilege it was to share moments with you behind the scenes at Pop 2 London 😔 thanks SOPHIE for everything pic.twitter.com/wZ5aNIwtlL
– RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) January 30, 2021
I’m heartbroken.
Thank you Sophie Rest In Power!
You will always be remembered as a true game changer, a powerful presence and an incredibly original producer! Your music and production brought me a lot of joy! pic.twitter.com/VZ1v9UNSb5– Peaches (@peaches) January 30, 2021
Absolutely moving. Rest in peace Sophie 💔 pic.twitter.com/CWiNOwaC5Q
– SG Lewis (@SGLewis_) January 30, 2021
From the moment I found out @SOPHIEMSMSMSM , Sophie’s work has been a profound source of inspiration and reference for me. Incredibly stimulating, pure proof that any genre can still be pushed in unexplored ways, it was impossible not to be stimulated by Sophie once known.
– Oliver Sykes (@olobersyko) January 30, 2021
I’m devastated to hear about @SOPHIEMSMSMSM is passing. REST IN PEACE
– Oliver Sykes (@olobersyko) January 30, 2021
I am very saddened by 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 several singles and projects on record labels like Numbers in the 2010s. The artist’s debut album, ‘OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES’, was released by Transgressive in 2018 and later nominated for Best Electronic Album. / Dance at the 2019 Grammy.
SOPHIE was also a prominent part of the PC Music label, and worked on music with Madonna, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Vince Staples, Kim Petras, Ark and many more.
Last summer, SOPHIE debuted new songs in a live broadcast, contributed to the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack and launched a new project called Analemma with Juliana Huxtable.