Sophie Xeon, known mononymously as SOPHIE, was a Scottish music producer, songwriter, and DJ. Sophie's work is known for its brash take on pop music and is distinguished by experimental sound design, "sugary" synthesized textures, and incorporation of influences from underground dance styles. It would help pioneer the 2010s hyperpop microgenre.
Sophie (left) produced "Hey QT" with A. G. Cook (right)
Sophie performing in 2015
Hyperpop is a loosely defined electronic music movement and microgenre that predominantly originated in the United Kingdom during the early 2010s. It is characterised by a maximalist or exaggerated take on popular music, and artists within the microgenre typically integrate pop and avant-garde sensibilities while drawing on elements commonly found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music.
British musicians Sophie (left) and A. G. Cook (right) are considered progenitors of hyperpop
Working alongside SOPHIE and A.G. Cook, Charli XCX was considered an early mainstream adopter of the genre
In 2019 the popularity of 100 gecs and their debut album saw Spotify formally launch a dedicated permanent Hyperpop playlist.