808

808 chronicles the incredible story of the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine, a small but powerful piece of technology that changed the course of music history. Narrated by Beats 1’s Zane Lowe, the film features commentary and contributions from such superstars as Pharrell Williams, Afrika Bambaataa, Questlove, The Beastie Boys, Damon Albarn, David Guetta, Phil Collins, Diplo, New Order, and Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), as well as pioneering producers including Rick Rubin, Jellybean Benitez, Hank Shocklee, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The filmmakers’ three-year-journey concludes in the 808’s birthplace of Japan, where Roland founder Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi at last reveals the untold reason for the machine’s mysterious early discontinuation, just as it was turning up on more hit records than any other drum machine.

808 features an array of era-spanning tracks born of and inspired by the 808, including key tracks from Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force “Planet Rock,” Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Felix da Housecat, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Jamie XX, among other icons and recent tracks such as “Nothing But Trouble,” the blockbuster Big Beat/Atlantic single from Lil Wayne & Charlie Puth.