Tributes paid to pioneering Scottish musician and producer SOPHIE after death aged 34

SOPHIE, a ground-breaking Scottish musician and producer, has died at the age of 34 following an “sudden accident” in Athens.

The Grammy-nominated artist had worked alongside the likes of Madonna and Charli XCX and was credited with inspiring and innovating across pop and electronic music.

A statement from the Glasgow-born musician’s management to Mixmag said: “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.”

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

#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

Record label Transgressive tweeted: “True to her spirituality she had climbed up to watch the full moon and 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.”

Chic star Nile Rodgers said SOPHIE was “innovative, dynamic, and warm” while Sam Smith tweeted: “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.”

SOPHIE was based in Los Angeles and was hailed as a trailblazer in underground dance music.

The transgender producer was among a number of LGBTQ+ artists who explored gender and identity through their work.

SOPHIE’s 2018 album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides was nominated for a Grammy as best dance / electronic album.

producing is such a boys club & to blaze in as a woman and make every single one of those men WISH they could make anything close to her sound, she was such a FORCE. the moulds she broke simply by being unapologetically herself, the hearts she touched, there was no one like her. pic.twitter.com/TMDKf1k9TT

— mimo (@kardashoon) January 30, 2021

sophie is one of the ppl who taught me early on that there is a place for me in music. it was so important for me in hs to see such an authentically trans popstar suceeding and touring

— frax (@fraxiommusic) January 30, 2021