Daft Punk Biography

The French electronic music duo known as Daft Punk recently became an international sensation with their hit song, “Get Lucky,” in 2013. But long before “Get Lucky” brought Daft Punk to prominence, the duo spent nearly two decades rising to fame in France and becoming one of the country’s most significant bands of the 1990’s “house” movement.

Members Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter met while still in school in Paris. After becoming friends the duo began to write music together, eventually forming their first band, Darlin’, in 1992. After switching their name to Daft Punk, the duo released a debut single, “The New Wave,” in 1994. The song began to garner the group some attention, but it was the follow-up single, “Da Funk,” which earned Daft Punk some significant commercial success.

“Da Funk” earned Daft Punk a recording contract with EMI Records, and in 1997 the duo released their debut album, Homework, featuring the song “Around the World.” Two additional albums followed – Discovery (2001) and Human After All (2005) – and Daft Punk even provided the soundtrack to the 2008 film Tron: Legacy, but it was the album Random Access Memories (2013), which spawned the mega-hit “Get Lucky,” featuring Pharrell Williams, that ultimately made Daft Punk a household name.

“Get Lucky” and Random Access Memories earned Daft Punk multiple industry awards, including four Grammys for: Album of the Year, Best Dance/Electronica Album, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Record of the Year. Since “Get Lucky,” Daft Punk has released the additional songs: “Lose Yourself to Dance” (with Pharrell Williams); “Doin’ It Right” (with Panda Bear); and “Instant Crush” (with Julian Casablancas.)

Daft Punk is now enjoying the fruits of nearly two decades worth of hard work. The duo, who are known for appearing in performance in disguise and for shunning interview offers, recently left EMI for Sony Music. Daft Punk has plans to return to the studio for another album, and the duo is scheduled for multiple performances in the near future.