Gesaffelstein born Mike Lévy on June 24, 1985, in Lyon, France is one of the most distinctive and influential figures in contemporary electronic music.
His name is a portmanteau of Gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art that synthesizes multiple art forms) and Albert Einstein a combination that captures both his artistic philosophy and his intellectual ambition.
Best known internationally for his collaboration with The Weeknd on the hit “Lost in the Fire” and for co-producing two tracks on Kanye West’s Yeezus (including “Black Skinhead”), Gesaffelstein has built a career defined by dark industrial techno, cinematic production, and an unwavering commitment to creative uncompromising vision.
His debut album Aleph (2013) and sophomore album Hyperion (2019) are cornerstones of modern French electronic music.
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Mike Lévy: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Mike Lévy |
| Stage Name: | Gesaffelstein |
| Born: | June 24, 1985 |
| Age: | 40 years old |
| Birthplace: | Lyon, France |
| Nationality: | French |
| Occupation: | DJ, Music Producer, Songwriter, Music Programmer |
| Height: | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Net Worth: | Approximately $5 million |
Early Life
Mike Lévy was born on June 24, 1985, in Lyon, France a city in east-central France with a rich cultural identity and a vibrant underground music scene that has produced several internationally recognized electronic artists.
He grew up in Lyon’s stimulating musical environment, developing a fascination with electronic music during his teenage years. The pivotal moment came when he discovered his older sister’s techno CDs an introduction to a sonic world that immediately captivated him.
He then began learning production from a neighbor who owned synthesizers, gaining hands-on technical knowledge that complemented his passionate self-directed study. At age 16, he began seriously experimenting with music production on an analog synthesizer.
His earliest influences were Kraftwerk and Joy Division artists whose dark, mechanical, emotionally charged aesthetics would directly inform Gesaffelstein’s own signature sound.
Education
Gesaffelstein’s educational background is not publicly documented. His development as an artist was entirely self-directed and experiential built through studio practice, vinyl collecting, and immersion in Lyon’s underground techno scene rather than formal academic training.
He began his career in 2008 at approximately age 22, suggesting he completed or partially completed some form of post-secondary education before focusing exclusively on music.
Career
Early Career and Zone Records (2008–2012)
Gesaffelstein launched his career in 2008 with his debut EP Vengeance Factory through OD Records an immediate statement of his dark, industrial techno identity.
In 2009, he co-founded the independent label Zone alongside The Hacker, Alex Reynaud, and David Rimokh giving himself and like-minded artists an independent platform for uncompromising electronic music.
His distinctive sound quickly attracted attention in underground European electronic circles, and he began releasing a series of EPs that established his aesthetic: heavy, industrial beats; dark atmospheric textures; a bleak, cinematic intensity that set him apart from more commercially oriented electronic producers.
In July 2012, Gesaffelstein and fellow French producer Brodinski appeared on the cover of DJ Mag one of electronic music’s most prestigious publications a recognition of his growing status in the global electronic community.
That same year, his track “Viol” was used in advertisements for Citroën and Givenchy, bringing his sound to mainstream commercial audiences for the first time.
Yeezus and Kanye West Collaboration (2013)
His international profile exploded in 2013 when he co-produced two tracks “Black Skinhead” and “Send It Up” on Kanye West’s landmark album Yeezus, working alongside Daft Punk, Mike Dean, and Brodinski. Yeezus released on June 18, 2013 was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful album that pushed hip-hop’s sonic boundaries into industrial and electronic territory, and Gesaffelstein’s contributions were central to its most aggressive, abrasive moments.
The collaboration brought his name to a hip-hop audience far larger than his electronic following and confirmed his status as one of the most exciting producers in the world.
Aleph (2013)
His debut studio album Aleph was released on October 28, 2013 through Bromance Records, EMI Music, and Parlophone Records.
Recorded over two years beginning in 2011, Aleph was a landmark release in French electronic music a dark, cohesive 42-minute journey through industrial techno and electro that earned widespread critical praise.
Standout tracks included “Pursuit,” “Hate or Glory,” and “Viol.” The album demonstrated that Gesaffelstein was not merely a successful producer but a formidable solo artist with a fully realized aesthetic vision.
Film Score and Jean-Michel Jarre Collaboration (2015)
In 2015, Gesaffelstein produced the soundtrack to the French-Belgian drama-thriller film Maryland earning a Lumière Award nomination for his score work. He also released “Conquistador,” a collaboration with electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre.
His remix of The Hacker’s “Shockwave” was featured in Grand Theft Auto V on the Soulwax FM radio station bringing his sound to millions of players worldwide.
Hyperion and Columbia Records (2019)
After signing with Columbia Records in November 2018, Gesaffelstein released his highly anticipated sophomore album Hyperion in March 2019.
The album featured collaborations with The Weeknd (on “Lost in the Fire” which became his biggest mainstream hit), A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Haim, demonstrating his ability to bring his dark electronic aesthetic into productive dialogue with some of pop and hip-hop’s biggest names. “Lost in the Fire” with The Weeknd became a commercial success, reaching Top 20 in multiple countries.
He has also worked with Lil Nas X, Charli XCX, Miss Kittin, Phoenix, and Electric Youth, and has done remixes for Lana Del Rey, Depeche Mode, and Justice.
Awards & Recognition
- Lumière Award Nomination (2015) Best Film Score, Maryland
- DJ Mag cover feature (2012, with Brodinski)
- Columbia Records signing (2018)
- “Lost in the Fire” Top 20 in multiple international markets
Social Media
Gesaffelstein maintains an active presence on Instagram and Twitter/X, where he shares production updates, visual art, and professional announcements.
His enigmatic persona rarely giving interviews, often performing in complete darkness or under dramatic lighting has made him one of electronic music’s most intriguing and visually distinctive artists.
- Instagram Handle: @gesaffelstein
- Facebook Handle: Gesaffelstein
- Twitter Handle: @gesaffelstein
- TikTok: @gesaffelstein
Personal Life
Gesaffelstein maintains an intensely private personal life, consistent with the enigmatic persona that has defined his public image throughout his career.
Details about his romantic life, family, and personal relationships are not publicly available. He is of Jewish heritage, growing up in Lyon’s French Jewish community.
His stage persona all black clothing, harsh geometric staging, confrontational light shows reflects an aesthetic coherence that extends from his music into his every public appearance. He currently resides in France and the United States.
Net Worth
Gesaffelstein’s estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, accumulated through record sales, streaming royalties from his extensive catalog including Aleph and Hyperion, production fees from Kanye West and other major artists, DJ performance fees at major festivals (Coachella, Ultra, etc.), film score work, and brand endorsements.
Discography
| Vengeance Factory (EP) | 2008 | OD Records debut |
| Duality (EP, with Brodinski) | 2011 | Bromance Records |
| “Black Skinhead” / “Send It Up” (Kanye West) | 2013 | Co-producer, Yeezus |
| Aleph | 2013 | Bromance/Parlophone debut album |
| “Conquistador” (with Jean-Michel Jarre) | 2015 | Collaboration single |
| Maryland (OST) | 2015 | Film score Lumière Award nominee |
| “Lost in the Fire” (with The Weeknd) | 2018 | International hit single |
| Hyperion | 2019 | Columbia Records sophomore album |
FAQs
Who is Gesaffelstein?
Gesaffelstein (real name Mike Lévy) is a French DJ, music producer, and electronic artist from Lyon. He is known for his dark industrial techno sound, the albums Aleph and Hyperion, and collaborations with Kanye West, The Weeknd, and A$AP Rocky.
What is Gesaffelstein’s real name?
His real name is Mike Lévy, born June 24, 1985, in Lyon, France.
What does the name Gesaffelstein mean?
It is a portmanteau of Gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art synthesizing multiple disciplines) and Albert Einstein reflecting both his artistic philosophy and his intellectual aspirations.
Did Gesaffelstein work with Kanye West?
Yes. He co-produced “Black Skinhead” and “Send It Up” on Kanye West’s critically acclaimed 2013 album Yeezus, working alongside Daft Punk and Mike Dean.
What is Gesaffelstein’s biggest hit?
“Lost in the Fire” with The Weeknd (2018) is his biggest mainstream hit, reaching the Top 20 in multiple international markets.
Conclusion
Gesaffelstein’s career is one of contemporary electronic music’s most compelling artistic narratives, a French teenager from Lyon who discovered his sister’s techno CDs, learned synthesis from a neighbor, and built a body of work that has influenced everyone from Kanye West to The Weeknd.
His dark, industrial, cinematic aesthetic is entirely his own an uncompromising vision that refuses commercial softening without sacrificing accessibility.
From underground Lyon clubs to Coachella headlining sets, from Yeezus co-productions to Lumière Award-nominated film scores, Mike Lévy has proven that artistic integrity and global reach are not mutually exclusive that darkness, handled with genius, can be universally illuminating.
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