The company builds it into many of their organs. Despite its enormous promise, it is soon sidelined by Cowell Theremin’s innovations are ignored for decades.ġ959: Wurlitzer introduces the first commercially available drum machine, the Sideman. The most sophisticated of the early electronic drum machines, it can play 16 different rhythms with no need for hands or sticks. This special timeline reveals how this once-lowly machine attained its iconic status.ġ932: Developed by Leon Theremin at the behest of composer Henry Cowell, the Rhythmicon makes its public debut. With its metronomic precision, it may have none of the swing of a human drummer, but the 808 can still provide a futuristic kind of funkiness, especially when it’s in the right hands. And yet musicians of all stripes and styles have deemed it indispensable for its stark percussion sound. Introduced in the early ’80s as one of the first programmable drum machines, the 808 was surpassed long ago by more high-tech musical tools. Despite its positive critical reception, the album was largely overlooked as a contender for the 52nd Grammy Awards, although the single 'Amazing' received a nomination in the category of Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.Soul singer Marvin Gaye used the Roland TR-808 for his 1982 hit Sexual Healing. Four singles were released in promotion, including the hit singles 'Love Lockdown', which became West's highest Billboard Hot 100 debut of his career, and 'Heartless'.

Despite varying responses from listeners, the album received positive reviews from most music critics, who generally commended West's experimentation, and was named one of 2008's best records in several year-end lists. The sessions also featured guest appearances by vocalists such as Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, Mr Hudson, and Lil Wayne.Ĩ08s & Heartbreak debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling just over 450,000 copies in its first week. West recorded the album during September and October 2008 at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the help of producers No I.D., Jeff Bhasker, and others.

It was released on November 24, 2008, by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. 808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by American vocalist and record producer Kanye West.

808s and heartbreak wiki