More about: SOPHIErebelltitem14

I’m sure we’ve all seen the catastrophic news that notable DJ and producer SOPHIE passed away on 30 January, but for many reasons the information just isn't going in. 

SOPHIE was an incredibly skilled producer whose work and art stood for so much in the music industry. From collaborating with so many of our favourite artists; Charli XCX, Rihanna, Vince Staples, Shygirl, to crafting a safe space for trans people to strive in dance music. SOPHIE did all of this whilst effortlessly being her authentic, creative self. She stood with so much pride; and rightfully so, because her music was literally faultless – the power she had was uncanny. You could listen to a track and instantly know if she was involved in the process.

No artist quite stands up to her work ethic: she was a once in a generation artist who has left such a massive mark in electronic music. These last few days have been extremely glum, and whilst we listen to her music, all that I can think about is her recent single release, ‘BIPP (Autechre Mx).’ I remember hearing it and wondering: is this going to be the year SOPHIE makes a comeback? - I was so ready for it!

SOPHIE had so much more to offer, and it goes without saying that we all know in these coming months, the music she would’ve been working on is going to be leaked into the world. And as equally powerful this moment will be, it’s going to sting, knowing she will not get to see the response of her fans who loved her so dearly. 

It’s too easy to feel completely distraught by this news, but SOPHIE’s work will be a spirit that will live on in this scene. She is a name impossible to forget, a pioneer whose work is spread far and wide and a powerhouse of an artist with a craftmanship worth forever praising. 

In light of her work, we want to talk about 7 of her best moments:

7.  Facetime call with Sophia the Robot

At number seven is the time she collaborated with Dazed in speaking with Sophia the robot. This was definitely a very comedic moment, and a collaboration I don’t think any of us thought we needed. In this chat Sophia the robot interviews SOPHIE: in one question she asks, “If you were invisible for a day, what would you do,” SOPHIE wittily responds, “I’m all about visibility these days Sophia.”

6.  Producing Charli's 'Vroom Vroom'

Two queens stand before me…the moment SOPHIE got together with Charli XCX was honestly revolutionary. It was the collaboration we had all dreamt of, and ‘Vroom Vroom,’ three years down the line is still one of Charli XCX’s best work. Produced by SOPHIE, ‘Vroom Vroom,’ has this avant-pop, idiosyncratic texture throughout. From here onwards, it became so apparent when SOPHIE was working with other artists, as her work was so easy to define, yet impossible to replicate. 

5. Closing PFW for Louis Vuitton

Back in 2019, when SOPHIE was going by her previous stage name SOPHIE Xeon, she had collaborated with Louis Vuitton for a video backdrop to their spring Paris Fashion Week runway. Models walked gracefully amongst SOPHIE’s futuristic video: it’s at this point you raise the question, who hasn’t she worked with. 

4. 'Faceshopping' Music Video

SOPHIE was very big on wanting to redefine some of the crippling beauty standards, gender stereotypes and general misleading structures of today’s society. One of my favourite SOPHIE moments was the time she dropped the music video for her single release ‘Faceshopping.’ This track just goes off so hard, from the lyrics, to the production, to the videography – ‘Faceshopping,’ encapsulates SOPHIE’s kaleidoscopic ideas all into one short video. 

3. PAPER Magazine shoot

In June 2018 SOPHIE did a mesmerising shoot for the front cover of PAPER magazine alongside a rolling text interview. Shot by Jason Altaan I remember seeing these images and just being in complete awe of her. The interview was so raw and transparent to her work and sat amongst some of the most incredible portraits. 

2. 'Ponyboy' Music Video

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a massive fan of SOPHIE’s videos, but it’s extremely hard not to be when they’re just that good. At number 2, is the video for ‘Ponyboy’, another technicoloured and glitchy phenomenon. What’s so interesting about SOPHIE’s work is that the narrative she wanted to portray in her lyrics would always correspond identically to the production and videography. In ‘Ponyboy,’ she uses contemporary dance moves to explore manipulation of human bodies – creating this cryptic and unusual effect. Chef's kiss. 

1. 'It's Okay To Cry' reveal

Number 1 goes to her reveal. In October 2017, SOPHIE, after months of dropping singles without music videos, and working anonymously, came out with this emotive single, ‘It’s Okay To Cry.’ In this official video you watch her angelic face amongst a greenscreen of clouds. ‘It’s Okay To Cry,’ was a massive moment for us all and is something I’ll never forget. 

Rest peacefully, SOPHIE. 

More about: SOPHIErebelltitem14