Every so often, a piece of music technology breaks free from its circuitry to shape the sound of a generation. The Roland TR-808 did just that.

Its punch-in-the-guts kicks, crisp handclaps, and gloriously off-kilter cowbell became the heartbeat of early ’80s dance, electro-pop and hip-hop, and they’ve echoed through music ever since. 

More than four decades later, producers are still twisting, stretching, and reinventing those unmistakable sounds – birthing new styles in the process.

A Brief History

Roland launched the TR-808 in 1980 as an affordable, programmable drum machine. “TR” stands for Transistor Rhythm — fitting, since it generated its sounds from analogue circuitry rather than recorded samples. The result was a futuristic sonic palette: a booming sine-wave kick, fizzy snares, ticking hats, a plasticky cowbell, and room-filling handclaps. 

Like many inventions that quietly rewrite history, the 808 was initially a commercial flop. Production ended after around 12,000 units when its custom transistors were discontinued – but on the second-hand market, in the hands of underground producers, it became a legend.

The Beginnings

Two early hits broadcast the 808’s voice to the world: Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force’s “Planet Rock” (1982), which hard-wired electro into hip-hop’s DNA, and Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” (1982), whose sensual groove Gaye programmed himself. From there, the machine became a cornerstone of electro, techno, house, Miami bass, and beyond – fuelling the rise of the 1980s club scene and shaping genres like acid house.

Why did it stick? Chiefly, that kick – a resonant, tunable thump that rumbles below the floorboards and still defines low-end today. Producers learned to pitch it, stretch it, distort it, and side-chain it into the heartbeat of modern music.

An Evolution

Fast-forward to today, and the 808 has evolved into the defining instrument of modern hip-hop and pop. Its DNA runs through long, melodic 808 basslines, gliding slides, clipped triplet hats, and razor-sharp snare rolls. The Atlanta architects (Lex Luger, Metro Boomin, Southside, Zaytoven) industrialised the sound by transforming the 808 kick drum into a full-blown bass instrument and chart weapon.

The 808 didn’t just keep time anymore — it became the hook.

Introducing MEL808

Our latest release MEL808 by Ed Colman celebrates the full spectrum of the 808’s influence — from classic electro-club energy and golden-era hip-hop grit to today’s 808-forward pop-trap. We used each era as a creative waypoint, building fresh cues around the 808’s unmistakable DNA: tuned sub-kicks, syncopated hats, clap-snare interplay, accent punches, and the occasional cheeky cowbell.

Highlights include:

• Matching Tracksuits (Ed Colman) — Classic hip-hop posture: roomy claps, dry snare snaps, and a round, chesty 808 kick anchoring a head-nod tempo. Sparse and spacious for edits, VO, and picture.
• This Is Acid (Ed Colman) — Our love letter to the 808 in the club. Rigid step-grid claps, open-hat pushes, and tom-drum syncopation bring the jack; the kick is shorter and tighter to make space for bass-acid lines while keeping that unmistakable TR thump.
• All The Trappings (Ed Colman) — A widescreen, modern 808 showcase. Long, pitched 808 basslines drive the harmony while staccato hats and layered claps add momentum. Careful side-chaining lets the sub bloom without muddying the mids – very much today’s pop/trap low-end philosophy.
• Nu Skool (Ed Colman) — Contemporary swagger with classic DNA. Triplet hat fills, micro-rolls, and snare ghosts nod to the modern playbook, but the palette stays unmistakably 808: sine-weight kick, bright claps, and percussive tom accents.
• Skate Sesh (Ed Colman) — Breezy and bounce-ready. A minimal 808 kit, nimble closed hats, and tuned-up, punchy kicks deliver an agile groove – perfect for upbeat, kinetic edits where the rhythm needs to skate, not stomp.

Join us in celebrating the Roland TR-808 – a sound both timeless and iconic. The storytelling possibilities for editors, producers, and brands are endless.