The upcoming feature documentary “808” chronicles the incredible story of the influential Roland TR-808 drum machine – a small but powerful piece of technology that changed the course of music history.

Narrated by Beats 1’s Zane Lowe, the film features commentary and contributions from music superstars like Pharrell Williams, Afrika Bambaataa, Questlove, The Beastie Boys, Damon Albarn, David Guetta, Phil Collins, Diplo, New Order, and Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), as well as pioneering producers including Rick Rubin, Jellybean Benitez, Hank Shocklee, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.




The filmmakers’ three-year-journey concludes in the 808’s birthplace of Japan, where Roland founder, Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi, at last reveals the untold reason for the machine’s mysterious early discontinuation, just as it was turning up on more hit records than any other drum machine.

“808” features an array of era-spanning tracks born of and inspired by the 808, including key tracks from Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force “Planet Rock,” Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Felix da Housecat, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Jamie XX, among other icons, and recent tracks such as “Nothing But Trouble,” the blockbuster Big Beat/Atlantic single from Lil Wayne & Charlie Puth.

“808” is a You Know Films production in association with Atlantic Films, and was produced by Alex Noyer (also executive producer), Craig Kallman, Alexander Dunn, and Arthur Baker (also co-executive producer).

Dunn directed the film and wrote the story with Luke Bainbridge.

The feature length documentary will first be released worldwide exclusively via Apple Music on Monday, December 9th before being available in the iTunes Store a week later, alongside the official soundtrack release arriving on Big Beat Records.

Watch the film’s trailer below: