Words: Thomas-Bradey Riseley
Mythical dance duo call it a day after a celebrated and defining 28 years.
Daft Punk have split. The pair from Paris have ended what was one of the most pioneering and popular dance music acts to ever exist. Their publicist Kathryn Frazier confirmed the news on February 22nd but offered no explanation, acknowledged by a video on the Daft Punk YouTube channel titled ‘Daft Punk – Epilogue’.
Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo met at the Lycée Carnot School and started an indie-rock band with Laurent Brancowitz called Darlin’ – which received a negative Melody Maker review featuring the phrase “a daft punky thrash”. Brancowitz would leave the band and thus Daft Punk was created.
They perfected the French-touch style of house music and elevated it into the mainstream with singles; Da Funk and Around The World from their debut album ‘Homework’. November 2000 saw their global appeal explode with the release of One More Time which was later included on the 2001 album ‘Discovery’ which would be certified triple platinum in their homeland. After flirting with their raw original sound on ‘Human After all’ (2007) they would score Tron: Legacy in 2011 and release ‘Random Access Memories’ in 2013 to widespread cultural and critical acclaim. ‘RAM’ and it’s singles would go on to win 5 Grammy’s later that year. After being announced winner of Album Of The Year, they were joined on stage by; Pharrell Williams, Giorgio Moroder, Nile Rogers, Paul Williams and others who had worked on what would become their curtain call.
Daft Punk also have production credits on Kanye West’s Yeezus and The Weeknd’s single ‘Starboy’ which would be the duo’s first Billboard singles chart number 1. Their instantly recognisable aesthetic inspired the next generation of sample and synth-led producers; Justice, The Avalanches and Kavinsky just to name a few.
They are cherished Around The World and will be forevermore. Watch the duo bow out on their legendary career below.
LDN Music Magazine 