In Celebration of SOPHIE, Who Paved The Way: Artists Pay Tribute
Last weekend, the world lost an incredible pioneer of avant-garde pop. SOPHIE, who worked as a singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ, had a profound impact on art and culture — essentially changing the course of pop music with innovative, thought-provoking, and endlessly exciting production. SOPHIE’s impact on the industry was, and always will be, undeniable, as pop pioneers like Charli XCX, Grimes, Phoebe Bridgers, and Jack Antonoff expressed the Scottish musician’s impact on their own work.
Here’s what some of them had to say.
— Charli (@charli_xcx) February 2, 2021
Charli XCX wrote: “It’s really hard for me to sum up the special connection I felt with such an amazing person who completely changed my life. … She taught me so much about myself without even realizing.”
Heartbreaking news. 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. Thinking of Sophie’s family and friends at this hard time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7qr4aI0DDi
— samsmith (@samsmith) January 30, 2021
Sam Smith wrote: “The world has lost an angel. A true visionary and icon of our generation.”
it is rare that we get to live at the same time as an artist so truly singular. if it's the actual sound of her work which is the definition of new, or the feeling behind it … it was legendary during her life and will continue to be after.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) January 30, 2021
Jack Antonoff, who called SOPHIE “an artist who arrived before everyone else,” also believed that “it is rare that we get to live at the same time as an artist so truly singular. if it’s the actual sound of her work which is the definition of new, or the feeling behind it … it was legendary during her life and will continue to be after.”
what a privilege it was to share moments with u backstage at Pop 2 London 😔 thank u SOPHIE for everything pic.twitter.com/wZ5aNIwtlL
— RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) January 30, 2021
Rina Sawayama called SOPHIE “an icon and a visionary.”
I love you Sophie and always will pic.twitter.com/oHiNO1zgFt
— bl**dp*p (@bloodpop) January 30, 2021
BloodPop’s heartfelt message after the loss of SOPHIE spoke to the musician’s character, friendship, and work. In it he writes: “Sophie understood the misunderstood and saw the unseen” and “Sophie’s razor sharp intellect combined with her extreme care and love for music led to many long discussions about intentionality, the bigger picture and being present.”
Sophie was different you ain’t never seen somebody in the studio smoking a cigarette in a leather bubble jacket just making beats not saying one word.
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) January 30, 2021
Sophie walked in the studio unannounced wearing Mickey Mouse ears on the way home from Disneyland with @JIMMYEDGAR like “he has something for you” played 745 took a water bottle and left. Ima miss the homie.
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) January 30, 2021
Vince Staples captured SOPHIE’s extreme SOPHIE-ness: the musician’s unwaveringly fierce dedication to being, simply, SOPHIE.
The Horrors’ Faris Badwan penned a piece entitled My Friend Sophie for i-D, poignant and full of fierce love for his friend. He wrote: “I feel crushing regret for every opportunity I missed to spend time with Sophie, every time she asked me to come over and I stayed at home, I remember the simple intimacy of every car journey. I read all our old texts. I think about her family and wish I could do something to ease what they’re feeling. Sophie was the centre of their world in many ways.”
One of the fastest growing Change.org petitions this week asks NASA to name a newly discovered planet in SOPHIE’s honor. Christian Arroyo, who started the petition, explains how SOPHIE’s “messages, actions, and music left an insurmountable impression on many LGBTQIA+ individuals. She always pushed a message of individuality and expressing your true self which resonated throughout everything she did.”
please sign and share for Sophie 💕 https://t.co/0iDOFPWF2S
— Charli (@charli_xcx) February 3, 2021
Over 70,000 people have already signed it.
