Sophie, the Scottish Grammy-nominated musician who made her mark as a trailblazer in the world of modern pop music, has died. The singer's management confirmed that she tragically died at her home in Athens, Greece “following a sudden accident.” The musician was 34 at the time of her passing.
Sophie’s management confirmed to The Guardian that the singer passed away Saturday morning around 4 a.m. In a statement, management asked for privacy for the singer’s family and respect for her fanbase during this time:
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.
The statement also reflected on the legacy of the late musician, calling her “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 part of Transgressive, a London-based record label. After news of her death was reported, the company also released a statement, honoring the late star and further reported that she allegedly died while trying to climb up and look at the full moon:
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.
SOPHIE, or Sophie Xeon, was born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 17, 1986. Through her father, she grew up with a love for electronic music and, as a child, she would DJ weddings and birthdays. She would eventually start her adult music career in 2011 as a member of the band Motherland, before releasing her debut single, “Nothing More to Say,” in 2013.
After dropping a number of notable singles that would gain her a wider audience, Sophie would release her debut album, Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides, in 2018. The album would be released to critical acclaim and would earn Sophie a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Sadly, it’s the only studio album the singer-songwriter released during her career.
Sophie’s unique style and creative direction within her music videos would garner her attention from some high-profile musical talents. Over the course of her career, she collaborated with artists such as rapper Vince Staples and pop singer Charlie XCX. She even got on Madonna’s radar and ultimately co-wrote the singer and director's 2015 single "Bitch I’m Madonna."
Aside from her music career, Sophie also became a voice within the LGBTQ community. Sophie was transgender and frequently used her platform to speak about gender identity. She also applied it to her work, particularly in the music video for her single, “It’s Okay to Cry.” The video is notable because it marks the first time she ever used her own voice and image in her work, and she appeared nude from the bust up. To many, this was seen as her coming out as a trans woman, and she would confirm her trans identity subsequently.
Although Sophie’s career may have been short, the singer, songwriter and musician certainly managed to leave a significant mark on the music world. Many would agree that she still had plenty of music to give us, and fans will likely continue to cherish the music she gave us.
We here at CinemaBlend extend our deepest condolences to Sophie’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
