Olivier Portal, aka French house DJ and producer Playin’ 4 The City, dies aged 65

Olivier Portal, best known as the influential French house DJ and producer Playin’ 4 The City, has died aged 65. 

The artist’s family confirmed the news with RA yesterday. Portal passed away on 8th January, with no cause disclosed at the time of writing. 

A Paris native, Portal rose to prominence during a wave of French house music alongside the likes of DJ Deep, Cassius, and more. Releasing under a number of aliases including Bodyswingers, Fun Force Project, Sub-Vision, Sun Orchestra and The Gritness Acoustronics, his work as Playin’ 4 The City remains his most recognised, with tracks like ‘Atmosfear’s Vibe’, ‘Music & The Rhythm’, and ‘From Chicago To Paris’ genre landmarks.

Often releasing through the label he founded with Bétino Errera, Straight Up Recordings, Portal was also a highly respected club DJ, holding a number of residencies in Paris and beyond throughout his career. This included iconic venues such as La Machine Du Moulin Rouge, Djoon, I-Boat, and Le Petit Salon. And a recurring slot at Chicago’s now-defunct Mad Bar, a legendary spot that helped break a number of house music icons. 

Tributes have been made online, with a number of high profile faces from the Paris dance music scene reacting to the news. DJ, producer and vocalist Hannah Häis was among those paying their respects, describing Portal as a friend. Meanwhile, Brawther said the late-artist was “one of the most wonderful human being [sic] and musician to have graced our world of House music”.