Legendary French duo Daft Punk announced their split today. The news broke this morning alongside an 8-minute video titled “Epilogue,” featuring a clip taken from their 2006 film Electroma.

Since its inception, the group consisting of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter has challenged the boundaries of electronic music with awe-inspiring mysticism and given the genre new stature on a global scale. In the process, they also became unequivocal superstars and some of the world’s most sought-after producers.

Rising in popularity during the ’90s French house movement, their experimental take on synths, drum machines, and dramatic genre-bending sounds have become the prototype for aspiring DJs, producers, and musicians worldwide. Their 1997 debut album, Homework, was led by now timeless classics like “Around The World” and “Da Funk.”

2001s album Discovery continued to introduce the euphoria and grandeur of electronica to new fans around the world. Adopting their now-iconic robot outfits and helmets around this time, the group established their untouchable status with wildly popular hits like “One More Time” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” It’s also impossible to listen to “Something About Us” without thinking of Interstella 5555 and the duo’s work on the 2003 animated sci-fi film.

Ahead of their unforgettable performance at Coachella 2006, the duo shared the 2005 album, Human After All, fueled by “Robot Rock,” “Technologic,” and its phenomenal title track. By this time, it was clear there would never be another group like Daft Punk.

Following their live LP, Alive 2007, the duo was tapped to create the TRON: Legacy soundtrack in 2010. They also co-produced various songs on Kanye West’s Yeezus and music alongside longtime cohorts Pharrell, The Neptunes, and N.E.R.D.

When it seemed Daft Punk had perhaps reached a pinnacle, they delivered 2013s smash album, Random Access Memory. Further embracing funk, disco, and new aspects of electronica, the duo reinvigorated their sound to mass acclaim. The wildly addictive “Get Lucky” with Pharrell and Nile Rodgers spread like wildfire, gaining a complete life of its own and landing on the Top 10 in 32 countries. The album also featured Pharrell collab “Lose Yourself to Dance” and “Instant Crush” with Julian Casablancas.

Random Access Memory and Daft Punk gained their rightful recognition during the 2014 Grammy Awards. Edging out the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, the French duo won Album of the Year. They won four additional Grammys that evening, including Record of the Year for “Get Lucky.”

In addition to gaining their first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with The Weeknd’s “Starboy” in 2016, Daft Punk also produced “I Feel It Coming.” Two songs The Weeknd just performed during his Super Bowl halftime show. With an illustrious career spanning three decades and transformative work across almost every genre, Daft Punk takes their final bow.

See daily news, interviews, exclusive content, live event coverage, and more on Soundazed.

Connect with Soundazed on Socials