Daft Punk split: Fans ‘heartbroken’ over break-up of French duo after 28 years
Daft Punk fans are devastated over the news that the Parisian electronic music duo have called it quits after almost three decades.
The pair behind some of the biggest dance and pop hits of all time shared an eight-minute video titled “Epilogue” on their YouTube channel. The clip is an excerpt from their 2006 science-fiction film Electroma. A title card on the video reads: “1993-2021.”
Daft Punk’s longtime publicist Kathryn Frazier then confirmed to Pitchfork that the pair have broken up. No reason has been given for the split.
Many fans have flocked to Twitter to express their sadness at the news, with one person writing: “Daft Punk have created some of the most iconic songs and albums of all time. Discovery & Random Access Memories are 2 of the greatest albums of all time. ‘The Game of Love’ is one of my 5 favourite songs ever. It’s heartbreaking to see them break up.”
Read more - Human After All: How Daft Punk's most maligned album warned us about the perils of progress
“Sad to see, but their legend will always remain untarnished,” added another. “There was a time when I listened to them every day for about a year straight.”
A third tweeted: “Gutted it’s over, so happy it happened.”
DJ and Bestival co-founder Rob Da Bank wrote: “Just when we thought the news was gonna get better Daft Punk split up.”
*Sees new Daft Punk video*
"OH BOY"
*5 minutes later* pic.twitter.com/AaEiwKy3xZ— Oshman 47 (@DaveOshry) February 22, 2021
Daft Punk have just announced they have officially called it quits after 28 years.
Genuine sadness. These guys will be musical legends forever. pic.twitter.com/7CDysJdd6L— Jon (@MrDalekJD) February 22, 2021
Oh man, Daft Punk just uploaded a new video, I wonder what new song they just dropped pic.twitter.com/Y5AwVNubJX
— Beka Kálmán (@Samu_751) February 22, 2021
Daft Punk is.... breaking up? It's truly the end of an era. I love you guys. Thank you for being an entrance and gateway for music for me. pic.twitter.com/G3w6oYy7BZ
— Psycho The Thread Lad (Like Limit) (@LadPsycho) February 22, 2021
28 years.
12 Grammy nominations and 6 wins.
4 studio albums.
2 documentaries and 2 movies.
2 live albums.
1 soundtrack.
1 Daft Punk.
Thanks for the ride, boys. pic.twitter.com/TdSVyKzEjR— daft please come back (@interstelarcana) February 22, 2021
Give it up one more time for daft punk pic.twitter.com/0MD6JONFKm
— memory lane (@bitchiwas999) February 22, 2021
No matter what, Daft Punk's legacy on electronic music will always be something that I carry with me. They are an inspiration to all. Sad to see them go but glad that they were even a part of my life to begin with. pic.twitter.com/GV0rBJvyuU
— FIBRE (@fibrealex) February 22, 2021
Formed by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Baltanger in 1993, Daft Punk helped pioneer the French house movement of the Nineties.
They released their debut album, 1997’s Homework, to critical raves and commercial success, including with their hit singles “Around the World” and “Da Funk”.
With the release of their 2001 follow-up, Discovery, the duo began wearing their now-iconic robot outfits in public and in press appearances.
Over the years the duo have sold millions of records and achieved multiple Grammy wins, including five in 2014 for their album Random Access Memories, which included collaborations with Nile Rodgers and Pharrell.
Daft Punk had kept a relatively low profile since the release of Random Access Memories, with the exception of their work with The Weeknd on two tracks from his 2016 album, Starboy: “I Feel it Coming” and the title track.