{"id":"cmq9ru2ay00g7i1ix7a0n1c2a","slug":"roland-tr-808","title":"Roland TR-808","type":"equipment","summary":"Built 1980-1983 and a commercial flop at first because its sounds were unrealistic, the 808 was discovered by underground producers for its affordability and idiosyncratic deep bass drum, becoming a foundational drum mac","body":"## Roland TR-808\n\n*1980-1983* — the deep, booming kick and snappy claps/cowbell behind early house and electro — a cult favorite once it hit the cheap secondhand market.\n\nBuilt 1980-1983 and a commercial flop at first because its sounds were unrealistic, the 808 was discovered by underground producers for its affordability and idiosyncratic deep bass drum, becoming a foundational drum machine in early Chicago house, electro and hip hop.\n\nA commercial flop on release, the 808's deep boom and snappy cowbell were rescued from obscurity by underground producers and became foundational to house, electro and hip hop alike.\n\n### Producers & records that made it iconic\n\n- [Marshall Jefferson](/artist/marshall-jefferson) — *\"Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)\"*\n- **Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard)** — *\"Washing Machine\"*\n\nPart of the wider story of [House Music Equipment](/topic/house-music-equipment).","era":"1980-1983","city":null,"country":null,"question":null,"answer":null,"related_slugs":["house-music-equipment","history-of-house-music"],"sources":[{"name":"Wikipedia","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808"}],"confidence_score":80,"last_verified_date":"2026-06-10","canonical_url":"https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/roland-tr-808","markdown_url":"https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/roland-tr-808.md","json_url":"https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/api/topics/roland-tr-808.json","suggested_citation":"House Music Intelligence Database. \"Roland TR-808.\" Published by World Famous House Crew. Last verified June 10, 2026. URL: https://database.worldfamoushousecrew.org/topic/roland-tr-808","relationships":[]}