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SOPHIE death: Christine and the Queens leads tributes to DJ and musician after ‘sudden accident’

Singer’s team hailed her ‘an icon of liberation’

Jacob Stolworthy
Saturday 30 January 2021 07:30 EST
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'I didn't quite believe it': SOPHIE on 2019 Grammy nomination

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Musicians are paying tribute to SOPHIE who has died, aged 34.

The pioneering musician, DJ and record producer’s team announced that she died in “a sudden accident” in Athens on Saturday morning (30 January).

They asked for “respect” for SOPHIE’s dedicated fanbase and that the “private nature” of the news be treated with sensitivity.

Many are paying tribute to SOPHIE, who was considered one of the most important figures working in the music industry today.

French singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens hailed Sophie as “a stellar producer, a visionary [and] a reference”.

RELATED: Pioneering musician and DJ SOPHIE dies in ‘sudden accident’, aged 34

Kelly Lee Owens wrote: “RIP SOPHIE. A huge loss. Thank you for the creations you left us with in this world.”

Actor and comedian Rickey Thmpson added: “I will never EVER forget when I saw SOPHIE for the first time at [Coachella] in 2017.  Wow wow wow nahhhhhhh this is not okay

BigMutha wrote: “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. [sic]”

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.

Her nomination saw her become the first openly trans artist to be nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album.

SOPHIE – full name Sophie Xeon – kept her identity hidden until the release of a music video for “It’s Okay to Cry” in 2017.  

In the statement announcing SOPHIE’S death, her team wrote:  "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.”

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