Goodbye, Daft Punk.
Video screenshot by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper / CNET
Daft Punk, the French electronic music duo who wore elaborate helmets, despised celebrities and took on robot personas, broke up. The group announced the news in a YouTube video titled Epilogue posted on Monday.
The video, which has been viewed more than 6 million times in eight hours, uses scenes from the 2006 sci-fi film by the Electroma group. It shows the pair walking into the desert, where one explodes and the other leaves, with “1993-2021” appearing on the screen. A publicist for the duo confirmed the split to The New York Times.
French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter are the humans behind the helmets. The duo, who composed the score for the 2010 film Tron: Legacy, won six Grammy awards and influenced several musicians with their music and mythology. Their 2013 single, Get Lucky, with vocals by Pharrell Williams, reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. They reached number one as part of The weekend 2016 single, Starboy, in which they acted, co-wrote and co-produced.
Its recognizable look has been parodied on shows like Family Guy, as well as on video games, including World of Warcraft. The band’s place in the history of pop culture – and those helmets – generated many reactions on social networks.
“I really wish Daft Punk hadn’t told us that they were breaking up,” tweeted writer Caissie St. Onge. “Just give the helmet to a new guy and let’s think it’s okay. I also wish my parents had worn helmets and done that. Maybe this is more of a conversation to have a therapist.”
Another Twitter user wrote, “Daft Punk is simply splitting up because in France you can retire at 50.”
And many noticed the group’s place in musical history. “Electronic music would have been very different without Daft Punk,” wrote one fan. “I will definitely miss them, but thanks to you for everything.”
I really wish Daft Punk hadn’t told us that they were breaking up. Give the helmet to a new guy and let’s think it’s okay. I also wish my parents had worn helmets and done that. Maybe it’s more of a conversation to have a therapist.
– Caissie (@Caissie) February 22, 2021
Daft Punk is simply breaking up because in France you can retire at 50
– Gabriella Paiella (@GMPaiella) February 22, 2021
RIP for crazy punk. You taught me that it was okay to be two French robots.
– Patrick Gill (@Pizza_Suplex) February 22, 2021