The album makes prominent use of the voice audio processor technology of Auto-Tune. Overall, West maintained a "minimal but functional" approach towards the album's studio production. In terms of musical direction, West's intentions, according to Mike Dean, were to go against the typical sound of hip hop beat, instead evoking the presence of tribal drums. The realization inspired him to pursue his direction with the album, however.
DOES PINOCCHIO STORY USE AUTOTUNE CODE
According to West, the fact that Hawaii's area code was "808" was coincidental, as he had already developed the album's title before being informed. He felt the characteristic of the sound was representative of his state of mind. West utilized the sounds created by the 808 and manipulated its pitch to produce a distorted, electronic sound, an effect he referred to as "heartbreak". Drawing inspiration from 1980s synthpop and electropop performers such as Phil Collins, Gary Numan, TJ Swan and Boy George, West felt that the 808 is a resourceful instrument that can be used to evoke emotion the concept was introduced to him by Jon Brion. As implied by its title, 808s & Heartbreak prominently features the Roland TR-808 drum machine.
Recording sessions took place at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and at Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. The album was recorded over a span of approximately three weeks from September to October 2008. "Either call it 'pop' or 'pop art,' either one I'm good with," he later stated.
He later stated that he wishes to present the music as a new genre called "pop art," clarifying that he was well aware of the visual art movement of the same name and wished to present a musical equivalent. "What was in me I couldn't stop." West went to classify 808s & Heartbreak as a pop album, asserting his disdain towards the contemporary backlash to the concept of pop music and expressed admiration for what some pop stars have accomplished in their careers. There were "melodies that were in me", he explained. West felt that his emotions could not be fully expressed simply through rapping, which he said had limitations. West stated that "This album was therapeutic - it's lonely at the top." The loss, loneliness and longing for companionship and a sense of normality served to inspire 808s & Heartbreak. At the same time, West struggled to adapt to his newfound pop star status he once strove to achieve, often becoming the subject of media scrutiny. Months later, West and fiancée Alexis Phifer ended their engagement and their long-term intermittent relationship, which had begun in 2002. On November 10, 2007, West's mother Donda West died due to complications arising following cosmetic surgery involving a tummy tuck and breast reduction procedure.
By 2013, it had sold 1.7 million copies in the United States.įollowing the release of his third studio album Graduation, the remainder of 2007 and the following year featured events that profoundly affected Kanye West. Four singles were released to promote the record, including the hit singles "Love Lockdown" and "Heartless".Ĩ08s & Heartbreak has since been cited as a prominent influence on subsequent hip hop, pop, and R&B music, as a new wave of rappers, singers, and producers came to adopt aspects of its style and thematic content.
Despite varying responses from listeners, the album received positive reviews from most critics and was named one of 2008's best records in several year-end lists. His lyrics explore themes of loss, alienated fame, and heartache, while the album's production abandons conventional hip hop sounds in favor of a minimalist sonic palette, which includes prominent use of the titular Roland TR-808 drum machine.Ĩ08s & Heartbreak debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 450,145 copies in its first week. The album features guest appearances from Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, Mr Hudson, and Lil Wayne.Ĭonceived in the wake of several distressing personal events, 808s & Heartbreak marked a major musical departure from West's previous rap records, instead featuring a sparse, electronic sound and West singing through an Auto-Tune vocal processor. 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 Roc-A-Fella Records. 808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by American hip hop producer and vocalist Kanye West.