Pioneering electronic music producer and musician Sophie Xeon, best known mononymously as SOPHIE, has reportedly passed away.
The groundbreaking singer, musician, DJ and record producer from Glasgow was 34 years old.
In a statement issued out from SOPHIE’s team (via mixmag), SOPHIE died following a sudden accident while in Athens. Here’s the statement in full:
“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.
“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.”
News of SOPHIE’s death was also confirmed on Twitter by her record label PAN, sharing an photo of the musician alongside the caption “Rest in Power you incredible human.”
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https://twitter.com/PAN_hq/status/1355429025804595200?s=20
Known for her innovative “hyperkinetic” take on pop music, SOPHIE won legions of fans for her surreal production style and sound. After spending the initial part of her career as a DJ and producer, SOPHIE came to prominence after the release of her 2013 single ‘Bipp’ and her 2014 single ‘Lemonade’.
Her debut album Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides was released in 2018 to critical acclaim, ultimately earning a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Outside of her own solo work, SOPHIE also won praise for her production work with several high profile artists, including Madonna, Charli XCX, Vince Staples, Let’s Eat Grandma, Kim Petras, Flume, Namie Amuro and Itzy.
SOPHIE was also remembered as a trans icon after affirming her gender identity in the music video for her 2017 song ‘It’s Okay To Cry.”
Speaking to Paper magazine in 2018 about being a trans woman, SOPHIE said that her coming out “means there’s no longer an expectation based on the body you were born into, or how your life should play out and how it should end. Traditional family models and structures of control disappear.”
She continued by explaining how control is key when discussing transness, saying “‘Transness is taking control to bring your body more in line with your soul and spirit so the two aren’t fighting against each other and struggling to survive. On this earth, it’s that you can get closer to how you feel your true essence is without the societal pressures of having to fulfil certain traditional roles based on gender.”
Following confirmation of SOPHIE’s death, fans and peers paid tribute to her work as a musician, a record producer, and a trans icon.
https://twitter.com/chetporter/status/1355457213368680451?s=21
Can someone tell me is this real
— ALISON WONDERLAND (@awonderland) January 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/QueensChristine/status/1355472218462048261
Devastating. She was one of these people who could have changed the world with her creative vision. In fact she did. Going to shed a tear listening to her album today. Rest in Power Sophie. https://t.co/HOY9uKoYNp
— Michail aka Opium Hum (@opiumhum) January 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/LoJamMusic/status/1355474801440268292
https://twitter.com/XeonUpdates/status/1355455409906192385
Our deepest condolences go out to family and friends of Sophie Xeon during this difficult time.
