Apple Music nabs exclusive streaming rights to star-studded '808' documentary

Apple has secured exclusive first access rights to "808," a documentary film chronicling the impact the Roland TR-808 programmable drum machine had, and continues to have despite its discontinuation 33 years ago, on the music making world.

The documentary, which premiered in 2014 and has since been screened at film festivals nationwide, will be available to stream for the first time through Apple Music on Dec. 9, Apple said. In announcing the upcoming release, Apple on Monday posted a trailer for "808" on its official Beats 1 YouTube channel.

As noted in the brief video promo, the TR-808 electronic rhythm composer jumpstarted a music revolution that continues to reverberate through a variety of genres to this day. From Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock," to rap, R&B and electronica, the 808's drum and bass sounds influenced and inspired music producers for more than three decades.

Narrated by Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe, "808" offers a wide-roving look back at the drum machine's origins and how it shaped modern musical tastes. Interviews include Afrika Bombaataa, Pharrell Williams, Rick Rubin, Phil Collins, Beastie Boys, Questlove, Lil' Jon, Diplo, Goldie, David Guetta, Richie Hawtin, Felix Da Housecat and more.

While not announced, "808" is expected to go up for sale through iTunes when it hits Apple Music next month.

17 Comments

analogjack 1065 comments · 12 Years

About 8 years ago

As soon as I saw 808 I knew it would be about the Roland. I never used one but I lusted after one after buying a DR550. If a documentary like this interests you then you most certainly enjoy a wade through Ishkur's guide to electronic music. http://techno.org/electronic-music-guide/ unfortunately it's in Flash but worth installing and uninstalling just to see it.

zroger73 787 comments · 13 Years

I found and enjoyed and learned a lot from Ishkur's many years ago. I've always enjoyed electronic music even though I'm not sure where the influence came from since I grew up on classic rock and country!

sockrolid 2789 comments · 14 Years

Haha. I wonder if Apple will raid Sundance to snap up award-winning films.
They've certainly got the cash to do it.

zroger73 said:

I found and enjoyed and learned a lot from Ishkur's many years ago. I've always enjoyed electronic music even though I'm not sure where the influence came from since I grew up on classic rock and country!

Same for me, never interested me until I heard Aphex Twin - Window Licker however I have since become completely smitten by The Orb's more subtle and trippy electronica. Their most recent album Mirrorball, is astounding, subtle and brilliant . Unfortunately some of the best Orb remix stuff is not available on Apple Music, which is the type of thing that is wrong with Apple Music.

analogjack said:

zroger73 said:

I found and enjoyed and learned a lot from Ishkur's many years ago. I've always enjoyed electronic music even though I'm not sure where the influence came from since I grew up on classic rock and country!

Same for me, never interested me until I heard Aphex Twin - Window Licker however I have since become completely smitten by The Orb's more subtle and trippy electronica. Their most recent album Mirrorball, is astounding, subtle and brilliant . Unfortunately some of the best Orb remix stuff is not available on Apple Music, which is the type of thing that is wrong with Apple Music.

Ah - The Orb! Sometime around 1998, PBS aired a special on electronic music that featured Fluffy Little Clouds. It was a mesmerizing documentary on electronic music - very well produced. I've never seen nor been able to find that documentary since then. I recorded it on an S-VHS VCR I had at the time, but that VCR and the tape are long gone.