May 13, 2025
Desi Beats for DJs: How South Asian Music Moves Global Crowds
Desi 101: What Exactly Is Desi Music? Let’s clear something up: Desi isn’t a genre. It’s a cultural identity. “Desi” is how South Asians across the diaspor...
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Watch the Trailer for Roland TR-808 Documentary
A documentary about the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine is coming to theaters in 2015. Titled “808,” the film features appearances and commentary from Diplo, Pharrell, David Guetta, Lil Jon, Rick Rubin, Afrika Bambaataa, Questlove, Fatboy Slim, Phil Collins, and more.
The 808 was a revolutionary machine popularized in the 1980s by hits such as Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” and Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock.” It’s impact has long been recognized and celebrated by artists, including Kanye West, who named his 2008 album after it.
“Making a documentary about a drum machine, a piece of electronic equipment, is an interesting challenge,” said director Alexander Dunn. “It has no voice of its own, so as a protagonist, it’s rather difficult to mold a story around. 808 has really been a journey of discovery for me. One that led myself and the team to meet over 50 musicians and artists from all around the world, hearing their personal stories about the 808 and the music they created using its iconic sounds. Those artists and musicians are the real protagonists of the film and the 808, in the hands of our contributors, would change music forever.”
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