Sophie, Grammy-Nominated Pop Star, Dead in 'Sudden Accident' at 34

Sophie, the Grammy-nominated Scottish musician who collaborated with artists including Madonna and Charli XCX, has died aged 34 in what her management team said was a "sudden accident" in Athens, Greece.

The 34 year-old Glasgow-born artist—full name Sophie Xeon—was known for her high-energy electronic style, as well as a recent pioneer for transgender artists. Sophie's 2018 debut album "Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides" was nominated for a Grammy for best dance/electronic album.

Her manager told The Guardian that the musician died at 4 a.m. Saturday following the 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."

The statement described Sophie as "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's debut album "Nothing More to Say" was released in 2013. "Bipp," released the same year, brought her to the attention of a wider audience. A subsequent run of releases were brought together for her 2015 "Product."

The Guardian described her style as "informed by pop and trance but with abrasive industrial flourishes." Her 2018 album found critical acclaim. Rolling Stone, for example, said the release "hurls the listener through an uncanny valley of sonic possibilities."

Sophie kept a low profile in the early years of her career, and did not use her own voice or image in her work until 2017. The 2017 music video for "It's Okay to Cry" was interpreted as Sophie coming out as transgender, though she also noted she was uncomfortable with being boxed in by terminology.

"I've always found expression through music," she told Jezebel in 2018. "That's my chosen method of communication. I can speak through my appearance a bit as well, but the medium I'm more experienced with is music."

Tributes poured out on social media as news of Sophie's death spread. Singer-songwriter Christine and the Queens said 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 honour and respect her memory and legacy. Cherish the pioneers."

Transgender model and activist Munroe Bergdorf said on Twitter: "Our community has lost an icon, a pioneer and a visionary bright light," adding that she was "Heartbroken." Bergdorf wrote: "SOPHIE you will be missed. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I hope we get to meet again one day. Rest in peace sister".