It went totally unnoticed, but was rediscovered decades later with the fascinating realization that it had foretold the genre of Acid House by more than five years.) 808 Decline and Revivalīy the 90s, the sonic landscape shifted. In 1982, Bollywood session musician Charanjit Singh released Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat using the TR-808. (And for a strange diversion, while researching this article I discovered an album worth checking out. By the mid to late 80s, The Roland TR-808 was essentially synonymous with hip-hop music. Furthermore, the kick, snare and hihat sounds were distinct from other genres at the time, which allowed hip-hop to carve out its own distinct sound and identity. The drum machine was inexpensive on the used market, and allowed artists to create rhythms with limited effort. The TR-808 was a natural tool for the hip-hop ethos, the ability to express oneself without a huge budget or formal training. Simultaneously, hip-hop was developing rapidly as a genre. Marvin Gaye was an early convert, and helped establish the TR-808’s reputation by using it as the basis for the groove in Sexual Healing in 1982. The 808 developed a cult following shortly after its “failure,” largely built upon its deep and booming bass drum sound. However, that “unrealistic” tone became its greatest virtue, and in fact its immortal quality. This unit was only manufactured from 1980 to 1983, was ironically criticized for its unrealistic drum tones, and only sold about 12,000 units before being discontinued. “808” is shorthand for the Roland TR-808 drum machine, an early electronic instrument. This assertion requires a little bit of unpacking- and translation. It had been coming for a while, but when Kanye West released an album titled 808s and Heartbreaks it was official: The 808 is a legend.
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