Cassius’ Philippe Zdar Remembered By Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, Ed Banger & More

Dance music lost an icon on Wednesday night (June 19). Philippe Zdar, one half of celebrated French house production duos Cassius and Motorbass, fell from a high window in a Paris building and passed away at the age of 52.

His original work on tracks including “I <3 U So,” “The Sound of Violence,” “Toop Toop” and more, including his work producing and steering modern classic albums including Phoenix‘s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and Cut Copy‘s Bright Like Neon Love made him one of the most influential creators of his age.

Cassius’ fifth album Dreems is due out on Friday (June 21). Zdar is remembered by his friends and colleagues as a passionate and tireless artist. We’ve gathered some of the comments posted online in honor of his lasting legacy.

 

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Last week… no words, in fact, yes words… In 1995 we met at Radio FG, the day I put a face and a name on Motorbass. You and Etienne de Crecy delivered the milestone of French electronic music •Pansoul• I was 20 and you were already « someone » in our scene. « Flying Fingers » was the perfect crossover between hip hop and techno. You accepted my invitation to Dj at my party. You became a regular. I remember that night you played 3 times Van Helden’s « The Funk Phenomena » that was just released. That same year @cassius was born. « Foxy Lady » became Daft Punk’s favorite and made it to their Essential mix. A year later you and Boombass introduced me to Dj Mehdi in NYC. We went to Ibiza and had the best Summer 99 of our life. You taught me how to become a man by expressing my feelings, writing on a notebook we were all sharing in the house (I still have it). I was carrying your records, I had this little camera to capture those magic moments, you & Boombass rocking that Space terrace. I enjoyed your mini spliff even if it was not my thing. I’m crying writing this now, but it feels good to realize how lucky I am to have known you. I was crazy enough to accept to become your manager in 2002. We quickly realized you were indomitable and one of the most free man ever. Once again you were there at the beginning of my new musical adventure Ed Banger records in 2003. You gave me •F.I.S.T• which became the first release of the label b/w Mr Flash « Radar Rider ». Ellen Allien was the first one to send me a feedback saying that track was mental! In 2010 you came back home with Cassius and offered Ed Banger the now classic •I <3 U so• We entered the Guinness book for the longest lunch at Ses Boques in Ibiza. Average time was 4 hours, last time with @tiga and @hubertdeblancfrancard will be unbeatable. Now I can tell you, I was scared when you were driving you Range River on Ibiza hills, but you calm me by playing me the records you were working on. @kindnessmusic first album will resonate in my head forever everytime I’ll go to the island. I remember when the Beastie Boys called you to work with them. You called me right away, you knew how happy I’d be for you.

A post shared by ED BANGER / PEDRO WINTER (@edbanger) on Jun 20, 2019 at 9:34am PDT

Awful news about Phillipe Zdar, what an unbelievably lovely man with an incredible legacy. I was mesmerized by this record as a 15 year old https://t.co/H79OZ19Nxq

— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) June 20, 2019

Will never forget making this and him telling me it made him feel 20 again hence the name of the remix.
In genuine shock 🙁https://t.co/Ovqx9FvMPN

— Oliver Jones (@I_Skream) June 20, 2019

Sad awakening here 🙁 I just heard Philippe Zdar from @CASSIUSOFFICIAL passed away. I can’t stop remembering amazing parties we had all together. All my loving to your family, BoomBass and Pedro. RIP
dg pic.twitter.com/XJwSOmdtSv

— David Guetta (@davidguetta) June 20, 2019

Zdar. — pic.twitter.com/NkCxrIqINF

— Little Louie Vegan (@atrak) June 20, 2019

So fucking sad to learn about Philippe Zdar last night. A true, true legend whose influence hangs over not just dance but indie, hip hop, all of it. I remember buying Feeling For You when it first came out and being blown away… My condolences to his family and friends ——

— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) June 20, 2019

Oh dear, that’s so sad about Zdar, fantastic producer — https://t.co/Km7Of9XU6f

— ed simons (@eddychemical) June 20, 2019

He mixed Needy Girl & Rage for the Euro release of our 1st album. Then he mixed the entire Fancy Footwork album. Then Business Casual. He played a huge role in developing our sound. We’re devastated. RIP Philippe Zdar of Cassius, Motorbass & La Funk Mob, a true musical genius. pic.twitter.com/Y7pNmzREyt

— FUNKLORDZ (@Chromeo) June 20, 2019

RIP Philippe Zdar, a visionary and tectonic force who shaped the geography of modern dance music. I am so sorry to the many friends who mourn his sudden and terrible loss tonight.

— THE BLACK MADONNA (@blackmadonnachi) June 20, 2019

So sad to hear of the passing of the legendary #philippezdar of @CASSIUSOFFICIAL. A true original and a unique talent who was involved in making our first album, as well as so many amazing records. Your energy and generosity will be sorely missed. RIP brozeur xxx ??????

— cut copy (@cutcopy) June 20, 2019

Goddammit RIP Philip Zdar. Terrible terrible

— Hudson Mohawke (@HudMo) June 20, 2019

Phillipe Zdar played such a huge part in creating so many important records that shaped and influenced some of the greatest music ever. Very sad to hear of his passing. What an influence. What an outstanding contribution to life, love and music. Farewell to a true legend. ??????

— Bag Raiders (@bag_raiders) June 20, 2019

before @CASSIUSOFFICIAL Zdar made the best House Music album ever Pansoul alongside @etiennedecrecy as #Motorbass. please play this very loud in his memory & may he soar into the infinite beyond. https://t.co/yltsjCBQr1

— Tommie Sunshine –??– (@tommiesunshine) June 20, 2019

Such sad news about Philippe Zdar. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and will be remembered as one of the most passionate and inspirational house producers of all time.

RIP — pic.twitter.com/5xhwiSgClw

— Ministry of Sound (@ministryofsound) June 20, 2019

philippe zdar was such a huge inspiration. i remember spending weeks mastering ‘unbelievers’ — putting it up against phoenix’s ‘1901’ as the benchmark of an incredible mix, —nothing could touch it. we had to mix it over and over again just to get close.

— Rostam (@matsoR) June 20, 2019

Love and respect to @CASSIUSOFFICIAL RIP Philippe Zdar https://t.co/MqRCK0gOU5

— Jesus Jones (@jesusjonesband) June 20, 2019

Shocked by the passing of Philippe Zdar. an incredible career and legacy. His work in the early days with Le Funk Mob and Etienne de Crecy gave French electronic music a gold standard that fulfilled its promise through Cassius, Daft Punk and beyond . RIP to the Motorbass

— Gilles Peterson (@gillespeterson) June 20, 2019

RIP Philippe Zdar. One of my favorite mixers ever…

— SKYLAR (@skylar__spence) June 20, 2019

Totally devastated by the loss of my friend Phillipe Zdar.

Can’t really process it at the moment. Just feel awful.

— ???? ???????? (@alkapranos) June 20, 2019