{{Short description|French-British pianist and composer (born 1983)}}
{{Infobox musical artist | name = RIOPY | image = Picture of RIOPY sitting next his piano.jpg | birth_name = Jean-Philippe Rio-Py | birth_date = 1983 | birth_place = France | instrument = Piano | genre = Contemporary classical music, Film score | occupation = Pianist, Musician, Composer, Producer | years_active = 2007–present | label = Warner Music | website = {{URL|https://www.riopymusic.com/}} }} '''Jean-Philippe Rio-Py''' (born 1983),<ref name="what">{{Cite web| title= RIOPY De gira con Thrive, su nuevo álbum |url=https://whatthefrance.org/es/riopy-de-gira-con-thrive-su-nuevo-album/|website=What the France |date=29 May 2023|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> known professionally as '''Riopy''' (styled '''RIOPY'''), is a French-British pianist and composer. Self-taught since a very young age, he has performed internationally, and released several albums classified as crossover or contemporary classical music. His compositions have been featured in commercials, movie trailers, and feature films.
In January 2022, RIOPY's album ''Tree of Light'' reached No. 1 on the US ''Billboard'' Classical Album chart<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Classical Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> after a continuous 70 weeks in the top 10.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Classical Albums Year End|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/classical-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref>
==Early life and career== Born and raised in France, RIOPY is a self-taught pianist who grew up in a secular cult with his family.<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 January 2022|title=De la secte au triomphe : le fabuleux destin de Riopy, pianiste français numéro un aux États-Unis|work=leparisien.fr|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/de-la-secte-au-triomphe-le-fabuleux-destin-de-riopy-pianiste-francais-numero-un-aux-etats-unis-15-01-2022-UNYH33YQMRG33F7EXF423IEZZE.php}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Giuseppina|first=Manin|date=3 February 2018|title=Jean-Philippe Rio-Py: "Ostaggio di una setta, devo la vita alla musica"|work=Corriere.it|url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/18_febbraio_04/jean-philippe-riopy-ostaggio-una-setta-devo-vita-musica-9cbd43ce-08fb-11e8-8b93-b872f63dbb4d.shtml}}</ref> RIOPY began to teach himself<ref name="classicfm">{{Cite web| title=The pianist who escaped a sect and topped the charts |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/riopy-pianist-cult-coldplay/|website=ClassicFM |date=20 January 2023|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> the piano at an early age when he discovered an abandoned instrument.<ref>{{Cite web| title=The pianist who escaped a sect and topped the charts |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220203-the-pianist-who-escaped-a-sect-and-topped-the-charts|website=France24 |date=3 February 2022|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> Without access to printed scores, he began to compose music in his head.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RIOPY – About|url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/artist/riopy|website=Warner}}</ref> His unique, rhythmically driven approach to performing his own compositions soon brought him to the attention of the piano firm Steinway & Sons who chose him to be a Young Steinway Artist<ref name="what" /> when he was 17 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2016|title=Steinway & Sons Artists|url=https://www.steinway.com/artists/jean-philippe-rio-py|website=Steinway & Sons}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2016|title=Jean-Philippe Interview with Steinway & Sons|url=https://www.steinway.com/news/features/despair-hope-jean-philippe|website=Steinway & Sons}}</ref> A year later, he left his home and the cult, which did not allow music, and spent short periods in Paris and Los Angeles.<ref name="classicfm" />
RIOPY arrived in London at 21 years old, where he worked at a small instruments shop for a few months.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alfredo|first=d’Agnese|date=21 August 2021|title=L'Amoze secondo Riopy|url=|trans-title=Amoze according to Riopy}}</ref> There, he soon met Michael Freeman, who recognized his potential and offered him a course<ref>{{Cite web| title= Le pianiste Riopy, des ténèbres à la lumière |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1291179/le-pianiste-riopy-des-tenebres-a-la-lumiere.html|website=L'Orient–Le Jour |date=19 February 2022|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> at Oxford Brookes University.<ref name="rnl">{{Cite web| title= RIOPY SHARES FIRST SINGLE 'NOCTURNE' FROM NEW ALBUM 'THRIVE' WHICH FOLLOWS ON 14TH APRIL |url=https://rocknloadmag.com/news/riopy-shares-first-single-nocturne-from-new-album-thrive-which-follows-on-14th-april/|website=Rock 'n' Load |date=18 January 2023|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> In 2006, he was then discovered at Oxford where he began his training before embarking on his professional career in London.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alfredo|first=d'Agnese|date=21 August 2021|title=L'Amoze secondo Riopy}}</ref> In 2007, he gave one of his first concerts at Jacqueline Du Pré Building and the Holywell Music Room in Oxford.<ref>{{cite book |last=Van de Woestyne |first=Francis |date=2024 |title= états d'âme 2: Grands Entretiens |trans-title= |url=https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/etats-dame-2-grands-entretiens/9782390701309.html |language=French |publisher=Les Impressions Nouvelles |page=380 |isbn=978-2-39070-130-9}}</ref>
In 2010, he performed at the Royal Opera House and opened the first night re-launch for the renowned The Arts Club in Mayfair in 2011. The same year, he performed at a Gala dinner in London organized by ''Vanity Fair'', where Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband at the time, Chris Martin, were also present.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ernesto|first=Assante |author-link=Ernesto Assante|date=3 July 2021|title=Riopy: "Io, Chris Martin e la mia musica 'benedetta'"|url=https://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/musica/2021/07/03/news/riopy-308696819/|website=Repubblica.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 April 2012|title=Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at the Box|url=https://www.tatler.com/gallery/jean-philippe-rio-py-at-the-box#!/7193/image/3|website=Tatler}}</ref> The singer thanked him for his performance and three weeks later, offered him his first personal piano, a Steinway & Sons.<ref name="rnl" /> Later, in 2018, he recorded his first album ''RIOPY'' on the same piano.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ludovic|first=Perrin|date=24 December 2021|title=Enfance dans une secte, départ en Angleterre, dîner avec Chris Martin... L'incroyable destin du pianiste Riopy|work=lejdd.fr|url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Culture/Musique/enfance-dans-une-secte-depart-en-angleterre-diner-avec-chris-martin-lincroyable-destin-du-pianiste-riopy-4083489|archive-date=11 February 2022|access-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211115440/https://www.lejdd.fr/Culture/Musique/enfance-dans-une-secte-depart-en-angleterre-diner-avec-chris-martin-lincroyable-destin-du-pianiste-riopy-4083489|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Music career ==
=== Performances === RIOPY has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including in London, UK: Royal Opera House, inside St Pancras Clock, The Arts Club; Steinway Hall;{{which|date=July 2025}} in Paris, France: Salle Pleyel, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées; in Villa Reale (Milan, Italy), and in the underground venue of Chateau Marmont (Los Angeles, USA). He has also performed at City Hall Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden), and in Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIOPY Tour Announced for February 2023 |url= https://www.songkick.com/artists/9752209-riopy/gigography?page=1 |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=Songkick}}</ref>
RIOPY also performed several times in concert halls in China.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 July 2021|title=Riopy: "Dans le monde de la musique, je suis perçu comme un mouton noir"|url=http://annieallmusic.blogspot.com/2021/07/riopy-dans-le-monde-de-la-musique-je.html|website=Annieallmusic.blogpost.com}}</ref>
In February 2023, RIOPY embarked on his first UK tour. He performed in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Canterbury, and other cities.<ref>{{cite web|author=Serious.org|date=4 October 2023|language=en|title=RIOPY Tour Announced for February 2023|url=https://serious.org.uk/news/2022/riopy-tour-announced-for-february-2023|website=Serious}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Following those concerts he toured Europe with performances in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Germany.<ref name="songkick">{{Cite web|title=RIOPY|url=https://www.songkick.com/artists/9752209-riopy/gigography|website=songkick.com|access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>
In June 2023, the pianist-composer embarked on a U.S. tour, with concerts in New York (Le Poisson Rouge), Los Angeles (Teregram Ballroom), Boston (City Winery), Chicago (Old Town School of Folk Music), and Alexandria, Virginia (Birchmere).<ref>{{cite web|language=en|title=Tour Dates|url=https://www.riopymusic.com/en-fr/pages/tour-dates|website=Riopymusic}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Michael Major|title=RIOPY Confirms Tour Dates This Summer After Being Featured on Lana Del Rey's New Album|periodical=Broadway World|date=29 March 2023|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/RIOPY-Confirms-Tour-Dates-This-Summer-After-Being-Featured-on-Lana-Del-Reys-New-Album-20230329}}</ref>
On 9 July 2023 he performed at the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park, London with Lana Del Rey headlining.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Lana Del Rey's BST Hyde Park setlist in full |website=officialcharts.com|date=6 July 2023|author=George Griffiths|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/lana-del-reys-bst-hyde-park-setlist-in-full/|access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>
On 18 November 2023 he performed at the London Jazz Festival at Queen Elizabeth Hall,<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIOPY |url=https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/gigs/riopy |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=www.southbankcentre.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> followed by a tour of cities in France<ref>{{Cite web |title= Riopy en concert |url=https://www.jds.fr/artistes/riopy-2472_N |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=JDS}}</ref> including Paris<ref>{{Cite web |title= RIOPY ENFLAMME LES FOLIES BERGÈRE À PARIS AVEC UN SPECTACLE PIANISTIQUE ÉPOUSTOUFLANT |url=https://www.sortiraparis.com/scenes/concert-musique/articles/298411-riopy-enflamme-les-folies-bergere-a-paris-avec-un-spectacle-pianistique-epoustouflant |date=29 August 2023|access-date=2024-07-09 |author= Julie|website=Sortir a Paris}}</ref> and Vichy<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIOPY |url=https://www.jambase.com/show/riopy-opera-20231130 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Jambase |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RIOPY |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/riopy/2023/les-folies-bergere-paris-france-23aea4b3.html |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Setlist.fm |language=en}}</ref> and a performance at the Cirque Royal in Brussels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riopy |url=https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14524281-riopy |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Bandsintown}}</ref>
In February 2026 he launched his ''Be Love'' album with an immersive event at Othership in Brooklyn with sauna, ice bath, music and a Q&A.<ref>{{Cite web |title=riopymusic |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DUBfmOBjH3M/y |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=Instagram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= RIOPY x Othership (Immersive Be Love album session) |url=https://www.bandsintown.com/e/107857470-riopy-at-othership-williamsburg |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=Bandsintown}}</ref> His touring schedule for spring and summer 2026 includes concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Hamburg, and supporting Tom Odell at the Festival de Nîmes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riopy |url=https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14524281-riopy |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=Bandsintown}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Odell with RIOPY |url= https://www.songkick.com/concerts/43027244-tom-odell-at-festival-de-nimes |access-date=4 March 2026 |website=Songkick}}</ref>
=== Featured movies and trailers === More recently, he has worked on movie trailers for Mr Turner, Jimmy's Hall, The Sense of an Ending, A Royal Night Out, ''Long Walk Home''. He also composed the trailer for Oscar-winning films such as The Danish Girl (film) and The Shape Of Water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jean-Philippe Rio-Py Composer|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4904466/|website=Imdb.com}}</ref>
His piano works have been included in documentaries broadcast on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 as well. He notably composed the original soundtracks for ''On The Bridge'' and ''She Wants Soul''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RIOPY|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4904466/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0|website=Imdb.com}}</ref> He was invited by Richard Branson to take part to his documentary ''The Kodiak Queen'' released in 2018 for the preservation of the seabed and the British Virgin Islands.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ludovic|first=Perrin|date=24 December 2021|title=Enfance dans une secte, départ en Angleterre, dîner avec Chris Martin... L'incroyable destin du pianiste Riopy|work=lejdd.fr|url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Culture/Musique/enfance-dans-une-secte-depart-en-angleterre-diner-avec-chris-martin-lincroyable-destin-du-pianiste-riopy-4083489|archive-date=11 February 2022|access-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211115440/https://www.lejdd.fr/Culture/Musique/enfance-dans-une-secte-depart-en-angleterre-diner-avec-chris-martin-lincroyable-destin-du-pianiste-riopy-4083489|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Solo albums === In 2017, RIOPY signed to Warner Classics with which he has been working ever since.<ref>{{Cite web|access-date=8 June 2017|title=Composer-pianist RIOPY signs to Warner Classics +++ RIOPY // News|url=http://www.warnerclassics.com/riopy/news/1688 |website=Warner Classics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513032112/http://www.warnerclassics.com/riopy/news/1688 |archive-date=2017-05-13 }}</ref> One year later, he released his first Album, “RIOPY”. “I Love You” and “Drive” were among the most popular tracks of his album, including in China.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 May 2021|title=RIOPY居家音乐会 用钢琴绝妙的旋律疗愈心灵|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/395418401_115487|website=Sohu.com}}</ref>
RIOPY's first album was followed in 2019 by a second one, ''The Tree of Light''. Seen as a force for positive change in the world by its composer, he comments: "It is a call to humanity to fight – not the wars outside, but to fight the wars inside us. A wake up call. If we are all kind to each other, and kind and compassionate and nice to ourselves and each other, we will have a better chance to save ourselves and the planet."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Robin|first=Murray|date=27 September 2019|title=Track Of The Day 27/9 – RIOPY 'Ukiyo|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/track-of-the-day-279-riopy|website=Clashmusic.com}}</ref> The album was the fifth best-selling New Age Album of 2021 in the US<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Year-end Charts New Age Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/new-age-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> as well as the third best-selling classical album of 2022 in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Classical Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/classical-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> In June 2023, 'Ukiyo' receives the Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with more than 500,000 copies sold.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date= |title=RIOPY's Song 'Ukiyo' Certified Gold By the RIAA |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/RIOPYs-Song-Ukiyo-Certified-Gold-By-the-RIAA-20230601 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
During the pandemic, he wrote his third album. ''Bliss'', a work of eleven tracks, was released in late 2021.
In April 2023, RIOPY released his fourth album, ''Thrive'', through Warner Classics.<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Michael Major|title=RIOPY Confirms Tour Dates This Summer After Being Featured on Lana Del Rey's New Album|periodical=Broadway World|date=March 29, 2023|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/RIOPY-Confirms-Tour-Dates-This-Summer-After-Being-Featured-on-Lana-Del-Reys-New-Album-20230329}}</ref> For this album, RIOPY took inspiration from famous classical music composers such as Satie, Pachelbel, Beethoven, Fauré, Debussy and Chopin, adapting their melodies into scores of his own.<ref>{{Cite journal|language=fr|author1=Isabelle Lesniak|title=Piano : Riopy, l'étonnant parcours d'un ovni musical|periodical=Les Echos|date=23 March 2023|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/weekend/spectacles-musique/piano-riopy-letonnant-parcours-dun-ovni-musical-1918451|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=en|title=RIOPY announces fourth album 'THRIVE' out 14th April|url=https://rocknloadmag.com/news/riopy-announces-fourth-album-thrive-out-14th-april/|website=Rocknload Mag|date=18 January 2023 }}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
His fifth album, ''Be Love'', was released on January 16, 2026 on Warner Classics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Be Love|website=warnerclassics.com|date=January 16, 2026|url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/be-love|access-date=February 26, 2026}}</ref> Along with instrumental tracks, it includes his first-ever tracks with vocals. The single "Long Way Home," the first released vocal track of his career, preceded the album release in October 2025. RIOPY wrote the album during a period of illness and recovery, having discovered that vocalizing "became a tool for recovery."<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Doug Lambert|title= RIOPY finds his voice – and healing – on first-ever vocal single Long Way Home |website=ATV Today|date=October 28, 2025|access-date=February 26, 2026|url=https://www.atvtoday.co.uk/269372-culture/}}</ref>
=== Collaborations === After listening to RIOPY's work, the American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey contacted the composer-pianist's manager in order to use it for her new album to be released.<ref name="unbreakable">{{Cite journal|author1=Sophia Alexandra Hall|title=Meet RIOPY: the unbreakable French pianist who escaped a childhood cult|periodical=Classic FM|date=20 January 2023|url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/riopy-pianist-cult-coldplay/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Jo Forrest|title=RIOPY announces fourth album 'THRIVE' - A new chapter for the pianist-composer and his first album to include strings|periodical=Total Ntertainment|date=12 January 2023|url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/riopy-announces-fourth-album-thrive/|url-access=}}</ref> In March 2023, she released her album ''Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd'' containing ‘Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing’, using ‘Flo’ from RIOPY's Album 'Tree of Light'.<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Craig Meighan|title=Classical star Riopy who escaped French cult to play first show in Edinburgh|periodical=The National|date=7 February 2023|url=https://www.thenational.scot/culture/23305560.classical-star-riopy-escaped-french-cult-play-first-show-edinburgh/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|language=fr|author1=Isabelle Lesniak|title=Piano : Riopy, l'étonnant parcours d'un ovni musical|periodical=Les Echos|date=23 March 2023|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/weekend/spectacles-musique/piano-riopy-letonnant-parcours-dun-ovni-musical-1918451}}</ref> Subsequent to their collaboration, RIOPY supported Lana Del Rey's performance at BST Hyde Park in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=George |date=6 July 2023 |title=Lana Del Rey's BST Hyde Park setlist in full |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/lana-del-reys-bst-hyde-park-setlist-in-full/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Official Charts}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Liberty Dunworth|title= Here are the stage times for Lana Del Rey at BST Hyde Park in London |website=NME|date=5 July 2023|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/lana-del-rey-bst-london-hyde-park-stage-times-support-acts-3465169}}</ref>
In conjunction with the release in early 2023 of his album ''Thrive'', RIOPY became an official ambassador for Restore the Music UK, a charitable organisation that helps fund music education in schools in lower-income areas. In November 2022, RIOPY have a masterclass to Restore The Music UK students at Harris Academy Greenwich in London.<ref>{{cite web |title=Restore The Music UK: RIOPY masterclass |url=https://restorethemusicuk.com/events/riopy-at-harris-academy-greenwich |website=Restore The Music UK |date=29 November 2022 |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> Subsequently Restore The Music UK and RIOPY's tour promoter partnered to offer free concert tickets to students and teachers who benefit from the charity’s work.<ref>{{cite web|language=en|title=RIOPY announces fourth album for Warner Music Group, 'THRIVE', ahead of his first UK tour and a feature on Lana Del Rey's forthcoming album|url=https://rocknloadmag.com/news/riopy-announces-fourth-album-thrive-out-14th-april/|website=Rocknload Mag|date=18 January 2023 |accessdate= 12 July 2024}}</ref>
=== Composition for advertisements === Since his debut, RIOPY has composed music for labels such as Air-Edel, EMI and Warner/Chappell Music,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 December 2014|title=Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at Steinway Hall|url=https://www.warnerchappellpm.com/en_gb/jean-philippe-rio-py-steinway-hall/|website=Warner/Chappell Music|access-date=29 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108145605/http://www.warnerchappellpm.com/en_gb/jean-philippe-rio-py-steinway-hall/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while his works have been featured in advertising campaigns by Hulu, Bentley, Samsung, Mercedes, and Giorgio Armani amongst others.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 March 2015|title=Giorgio Armani The Courage To Say Si|url=http://www.lebook.com/creative/giorgio-armani-beauty-courage-say-si-advertising-2015|website=Le Book}}</ref> In 2016, he composed the music for an award-winning IKEA ad.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 December 2014|title=Jean-Philippe Rio-Py at Steinway Hall|url=https://www.warnerchappellpm.com/en_gb/jean-philippe-rio-py-steinway-hall/|website=Warner/Chappell Music|access-date=29 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108145605/http://www.warnerchappellpm.com/en_gb/jean-philippe-rio-py-steinway-hall/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The music supervisor behind the Swedish IKEA commercial stated: "'Every Other Week' has become a bit of a commercial classic, referred to as one of the best commercials made in recent years, which RIOPY was a part of."<ref>{{Cite web|title=IKEA - Every Other Week|url=https://jesper-gadeberg.disco.ac/playlist-new/1330708?date=20180417&user_id=157&signature=skquznzVIhckWDfVeO0I_T7l-vc%3AcRqu892J|website=Jesper Gadeberg}}</ref> In 2018, he wrote the music for a Peugeot 508 ad broadcast in France, where he is depicted driving the car himself while writing the score on screen.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 October 2018|title=Pub Nouvelle Peugeot 508 (France, 2018)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd2htP08QKs|website=Youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Imogen|first=Watson|date=8 October 2018|title=Composer RIOPY plays the longest musical score ever with the new Peugeot 508|work=Thedrum.com|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/10/08/composer-riopy-plays-the-longest-musical-score-ever-with-the-new-peugeot-508}}</ref> Following the campaign’s success, Warner Music released to the public the original track “Le Rêve d’une Note” in partnership with Peugeot.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Film Craft|url=https://www2.eurobest.com/winners/2018/craft/entry.cfm?entryid=1358&award=101&keywords=&order=6&direction=2|website=Eurobest.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Le Rêve d'une note |url=https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/le-reve-dune-note-riopy/j1458rdn9b5ab|website=Qobuz|accessdate=1 July 2024}}</ref>
=== Charting and streaming success ===
As of October 2024, RIOPY's music has been streamed globally over 1 billion times.<ref>{{cite web |title=RIOPY biography |url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/artist/riopy |website=Warner Classics |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=My heartfelt thanks once again for reaching 1 billion streams all because of you. |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6qzrIjadjkk |website=YouTube |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>
RIOPY's second album ''The Tree of Light'' ranked No. 8 on the year-end 2021 Classical Albums chart<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Classical Albums Year End|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/classical-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> and fifth on the New Age Albums chart.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Classical Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/new-age-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> In January 2022 the album peaked at No. 1 on the Classical Albums chart.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Classical Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-albums/|website=Billboard.com}}</ref> As of June 2023 it had remained on that chart for more than 135 weeks.<ref name="ukiyogold">{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |title=RIOPY's Song 'Ukiyo' Certified Gold By the RIAA |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/RIOPYs-Song-Ukiyo-Certified-Gold-By-the-RIAA-20230601 |date=2023-06-01|access-date=2024-01-22 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
''Thrive'' debuted at No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' New Age Albums chart, No. 5 on the Classical Albums chart, and No. 11 on the Classical Crossover chart.<ref name="ukiyogold" />
In June 2023, his 2019 track “Ukiyo” was certified gold by the RIAA with more than 500,000 copies sold.<ref name="ukiyogold" />
== Meditation and wellness career == Over the years, RIOPY developed a keen interest in meditation and ways to improve mental health. After experiencing deep anxiety and depression, he found a new passion for neuroscience, specifically how brainwaves work to improve one's wellbeing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meditation|url=https://www.riopymusic.com/meditation|website=Riopymusic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 November 2019|title=INTERVISTA/ Riopy, la mia musica come antidepressivo|url=https://www.ilmohicano.it/2019/11/26/intervista-riopy-la-mia-musica-come-antidepressivo/|website=Ilmohicano.it}}</ref> For example, he researched the positive effects music can have on mental health by observing the results of EKGs of his own brain waves as he listened to music.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Langford|first=Bruce|date=29 September 2021|title=Composer Riopy plays the longest musical score ever with the new Peugeot 508|work=Mindfulness Mode|url=https://mindfulnessmode.com/how-music-saved-my-life-riopy/|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> He also, at fans' suggestions, tuned his piano to 432 Hertz (as opposed to the usual 440 Hertz), a frequency believed to help brain waves to relax.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 April 2020|title=Meditation 432|url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/meditation-432|website=Warnerclassics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Annie|first=Grandjanin|date=29 July 2021|title=Riopy : Une musique qui invite à l'apaisement et à la méditation|url=https://www.weculte.com/musique/riopy-une-musique-qui-invite-a-lapaisement-et-a-la-meditation/|website=Weculte.com}}</ref>
RIOPY uses various compositional techniques in pursuit of his goal to create immersive meditation music that can improve mental health and wellbeing, including using binaural beats,<ref>{{cite podcast |host=Jesse Chappus|title= How to Harness the Healing Power of Music RIOPY 454 |website=ultimatehealthpodcast.com |publisher=The Ultimate Health Podcast |date=2 July 2024 |url=https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/riopy-music/ |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> spatial audio and other techniques.
He partnered with Peloton to create a yoga program called "Slow Flow," released in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 January 2021|title= 30 min RIOPY Slow Flow |work=onepeloton.com|url=https://www.onepeloton.com/classes/yoga/30-min-riopy-slow-flow-aditi-shah-1611874320?classId=504406cd8b7048f8926896541bef9522|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> His music is featured on the Calm app and the Sleep app.<ref name="unbreakable" /> A number of his pieces are called "Meditations," such as "Meditation 22," "MED66," "Meditation 111."
In 2023 the Mental Health Foundation commissioned him to create a piece to help people manage anxiety, resulting in "Meditation 111" (named for the NHS' 111 helpline). Announcing that release, RIOPY said, "As someone who has struggled with poor mental health for most of my life, music has been a great source of solace and calm. It is not an exaggeration to say that the piano saved my life."<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2023|title= RIOPY collaborates with the Mental Health Foundation |work=Rayo|url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/scala-radio/entertainment/music/riopy-collaborates-with-the-mental-health-foundation/|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> His EP "Meditation 333," released in May 2024, consisted of three tracks of music and audio tools "designed for healing and peace."<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 May 2024|title= RIOPY - Meditation 333 |work=Warner Classics|url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/riopy-meditation-333|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>
=== TUNE YOUR MIND <sup>[by RIOPY]</sup> ===
Building on his meditation and wellness activities, RIOPY created a separate brand called TUNE YOUR MIND <sup>[by RIOPY]</sup> devoted to binaural beats, drone sounds, and neuroscience-led meditations. In 2025 Warner Classics released meditation recordings from the series: ''Meditation 66'' (music/drone, general release) and ''Meditation 66 (Complete Guided Meditations)'' (exclusive to Amazon Music and mixed for Alexa devices specifically),<ref>{{Cite web|title= Meditation 66 |work=Tune Your Mind|url=https://tuneyourmind.com/meditation-66/|access-date=26 February 2026}}</ref> as well as ''Sleep Meditations'' (general release)<ref>{{Cite web|title= Sleep Meditations |work=Tune Your Mind|url=https://tuneyourmind.com/sleep-meditations/|access-date=26 February 2026}}</ref> and ''Home Sleep Meditations'' (Amazon Music exclusive) with each of four tracks composed to induce each stage of sleep.
==== TUNE YOUR MIND podcast ====
In September 2025 RIOPY launched The Riopy Podcast – Tune Your Mind, in which he speaks with guests "about creativity, resilience, mental health [and] using music as a tool for healing." RIOPY talks with experts in meditation, neuroscience, spirituality and related fields, discusses his own life and music, and plays some of his new music.<ref>{{Cite web|title= The Riopy Podcast – Tune Your Mind |work=Podcast Republic|url=https://podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1839229315|access-date=10 March 2026}}</ref>
== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |+ Studio Album Discography |- ! Year !! Album !Release!! Record label |- | 2018 || ''RIOPY'' |Studio album|| Warner Classics |- | 2019 || ''Tree of Light'' |Studio album|| Warner Classics |- | 2021 || ''Bliss'' |Studio album|| Warner Classics |- |2022 |''[extended] Bliss'' |Studio album |Warner Classics |- | 2023 || ''Thrive'' |Studio album|| Warner Classics |- | 2026 || ''Be Love'' |Studio album|| Warner Classics |}
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" |+ Further releases |- ! Year !! Album !Theme !Release!! Record label |- | 2013 || ''Portraits in Film'' |Soundtrack |Album|| |- | 2016 || ''Breathe'' |Music |Album|| |- |2019 |''Meditation'' |Meditation |Single |Warner Classics |- |2019 |''Le Rêve d'une note'' |Music |EP |Warner Classics |- | 2020 || ''Meditation 432'' |Meditation, Nature Sounds |Album|| Warner Classics |- | 2023 || ''On a Starry Christmas Night'' |Christmas |EP|| Warner Classics |- | 2024 || ''Meditation 333'' |Meditation |EP|| Warner Classics |- | 2024 || ''Jingle Bells Reimagined'' |Christmas |EP|| Warner Classics |- |2024 |''Winter Impressions'' |Christmas |Studio album |Warner Classics |- |2025 |''My Way of Light'' |Soundtrack |Single |Warner Classics |- |2025 |''Meditation 66: Complete Guided Meditations'' | Meditation | Album | Warner Classics |- |2025 |''Sleep Meditations'' | Meditation | EP | Warner Classics |}
{| class="wikitable" |+ Film trailers featuring RIOPY's music |- ! Year !! Title !! Track(s) |- | 2012 || ''Long Walk Home'' || |- | 2013 || ''Mr Turner'' || "Help Us Grow" |- | 2014 || ''Jimmy's Hall'' || "Brave Heart" |- | 2016 || ''The Danish Girl'' || "Fairy Tale," "Feel the Air," "Embrasse-moi" |- | 2016 || ''A Royal Night Out'' || "Let It Begin" |- | 2016 || ''The Sense of an Ending'' || "Mur de Pierre," "Puissance d'Antan" |- | 2017 || ''Murder on the Orient Express'' || "The Uprising" |- | 2018 || ''The Happy Prince'' || "Becoming Stronger," "Trust in You" |- | 2018 || ''The Shape of Water'' || "32 Sides" |- | 2018 || ''The Mercy'' || "Trust in You" |- | 2018 || ''The Children Act'' || "Epic" |- | 2018 || ''Stan & Ollie'' || "Just Wait" |- | 2018 || ''Skam Series'' || "I Love You" |}
{| class="wikitable" |+ Documentaries and feature films featuring RIOPY's music |- ! Year !! Title |- | 2011 || ''She Wants Soul'' |- | 2013 || ''On the Bridge'' |- | 2018 || ''The Kodiak Queen'' |- |2024 |''My Way'' <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7jU1nd-hM2g |title=Honoured to score 'My Way' film, adding my touch to the iconic track. Listen to 'My Way of Light' |language=en |access-date=2025-07-29 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> |}
{| class="wikitable" |+ Marketing and advertising campaigns |- ! Year !! Brand/Project !! Composition/Campaign |- | 2009 || Mercedes || "Evolving Memories" |- | 2013 || Samsung || "Evolving Memories" |- | 2014 || Vertu for Bentley || "La Vie" |- | 2015 || Armani || "Braveheart" |- | 2016 || IKEA || "London 15" |- | 2016 || Steinway & Sons || "Golden Gate" |- | 2017 || TNT || "12 Sides" |- | 2018 || Peugeot || "Le Rêve d'une Note" |- |2024 |Poste Italiane |"Drive" <ref>{{Cite news |last=Jean-Philippe |first=Rio-Py |date=October 19, 2024 |title=I'm excited that Poste Italiane has chosen 'Drive' and 'I Love You' for their iconic campaign celebrating their 160th anniversary. I'm very grateful to be part of this special moment. |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBTVBGzsPZU/ |access-date=July 29, 2025}}</ref> |}
== References == {{reflist}} {{authority control}}
Category:21st-century French male pianists Category:French composers Category:1983 births Category:Living people