Cassius

Cassius was a two decade-long collaboration between Philippe 'Zdar' Cerboneschi and Hubert 'Boombass' Blanc-Francard which saw the release of albums '1999' and 'Au Reve'. It was, however, just one of several projects the pair undertook together. In 1988 Zdar and Boombass met while working in a recording studio. They began producing albums for French hip-hop artist MC Solaar before releasing two EPs as La Funk Mob in 1994. Zdar also joined Super Discount's Etienne De Crecy to put out the album 'Pansoul' as Motorbass.

It was later in the decade, however, that Zdar and Boombass began the project that became their enduring legacy. In 1998 they formed Cassius, bringing together Zdar's acid-disco influences with the hip-hop sounds of Boombass. Cassius became known as part of the 'French Touch' electronic movement alongside Daft Punk, St. Germaine and I:Cube. That year they had their first hit with 'Cassius 1999', a club anthem and top 20 hit in the UK Singles Chart.

The duo released their debut album '1999' the following year. The album peaked at number 28 in the UK Albums Chart and produced several top ten singles in the UK and US.

The pair returned in 2002 with the album 'Au Rêve', which included collaborations with Jocelyn Brown, Steve Edwards, Ghostface Killah and Leroy Burgess. In 2006 they put out their third album, '15 Again', before going on a long hiatus as they pursued other projects.

In 2016 Cassius reunited for the single 'Action' and the concept album 'Ibifornia', an LP created as a lighter response to the period's trend towards dark electronica.

On 19th June 2019 Zdar died following a fall from a building in Paris. He was 52 years old. Cassius's final album, 'Dreems', was released a couple of days later on June 21st.