Electronic musician and producer Napolian has died at the age of 29, it has been confirmed.
The Los Angeles-based creative, whose real name was Ian Evans, had worked with the likes of Kelela, A$AP Ferg and Yves Tumor in his production career.
He also released his own music on labels including Oneohtrix Point Neverās Software, Cascine and more. He released his debut album āIncursioā in 2014, after taking his first steps with a split release with Computer Dreams in 2011 and a solo EP called āRejoiceā a year later.
After āIncursioā, he released a collaborative album with Joel Ford, who was using his Airbird moniker, called āMr Foolishā.
Evansā cause of death has not been made public at the time of writing.
Since news of his death broke yesterday (July 1), fans, artists and labels have paid tribute to him on social media. āRest easy Ian, in our hearts forever,ā read a tweet on the official Oneohtrix Point Never Twitter account.
rest easy ian, in our hearts foreverhttps://t.co/Lzkxsm3MqL
— opn (@0PN) July 1, 2021
The man behind that moniker, Daniel Lopatin, added a fuller tribute on his Instagram account, writing: āIām devastated by Napolianās passing yesterday, his life getting cut short came as a shock to those of us whose lives he touched.
āI donāt know how to qualify what a talent and sweet person Ian was. He loved electronic music deeply, and we always talked about how it was a spiritual thing. He felt all the details. We spent years just sending images and sounds back and forth and didnāt have to explain why, everything made sense, this was one of the last pics he sent me. Iām so happy to have been a part of your life ā too short, you had so much more to give. āRejoiceā and āIncursioā are etched into our memories forever and we will always cherish you.ā
Label RVNG Intl tweeted: ādeeply saddened to learn of the passing of ian evans, aka napolian. the kindest type of quiet, creative souls. way too young, way too talented.ā
deeply saddened to learn of the passing of ian evans, aka napolian. the kindest type of quiet, creative souls. way too young, way too talented ~ https://t.co/nfL03ItFEf
— RVNG Intl. (@rvngintl) July 1, 2021
Producer Joel Ford added: āRIP my friend and musical genius Ian Evans. Just cannot even believe this is real.ā
RIP my friend and musical genius Ian Evans. Just cannot even believe this is real. pic.twitter.com/FJBlIjyrOL
— Joel Ford (@wayslower) July 1, 2021
See more tributes to Napolian below.
Ian was with us every day working on the mix of dawn chorus, pouring thru every stem and sound and bringing such a deft touch and grounded energy to the proceedings
Rest In Peace to a truly talented and warm spirit x https://t.co/P2qR5PG3Hs
— jg (@jacquesgreene) July 1, 2021
RIP Napolian…Ian was absolutely amazing and i'll miss him so incredibly much.
This was the first thing I heard of his, and it's still mindblowing to this day. https://t.co/hQpKCgst56— DV-i : 2021 (Yack! Deculture Edition) (@physicallydv) July 1, 2021
the Napolian/Computer Dreams split and Rejoice completely flipped the script for me. still massive and always will be
— robin in 2021 BLM (@cyberia_mix) July 1, 2021
rest in peace Napolian, one of my biggest influences and favorite musicians, easy. so much love to his family and loved ones.https://t.co/uhkPtGKUKN
— Skylar Spence (@skylar__spence) July 1, 2021
rest in perfect peace napolian..
i love you more than words can express, i know you were always proud of me but i will work extra hard to carry your legacy of perfectionism and pure love for the music
i wish you could be here in flesh but in spirit you always will be.. pic.twitter.com/aa22aoSOxe
— ā± (@avalonlurks) July 2, 2021
The post Electronic musician and producer Napolian has died, aged 29 appeared first on NME.