808 drum machine biography of william

—written & researched by Zach Diaz, @ZachDiazMusic

[Feel free to access a playlist that includes all of the 808 songs in this article on Spotify here.]

In the 2015 documentary film 808, drummer and prominent hip hop musician Questlove describes the 808 Drum Machine as the “rock guitar of hip hop”.

This comparison could not be more accurate, as the use of the 808 has been a staple of hip hop and popular music production since its invention in 1980.

808 drum machine biography of william murphy

As the quotation in this article’s title of the Beastie Boys’ 1998 song “Super Disco Breakin” suggests, the sonic qualities of this drum machine helped shape the sound of American popular music in the 1980s. Additionally, it continues to have an influence on modern music production through its ongoing use by some of today’s most well-known rappers and producers.

By exploring the beginnings and early uses of this instrument, its usage in 80s pop and hip-hop, and frequent usage in current hip-hop, we can see the monumental influence th