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The most impactful album on our current generation.
Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak turns 12 years old today.
Here’s the story of how Kanye went from creating stadium anthems to the depressing soundtrack of this moment in his life.
Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak turns 12 years old today.
Here’s the story of how Kanye went from creating stadium anthems to the depressing soundtrack of this moment in his life.
Heartbreak
At the peak of Kanye’s superstar status, his world would come crashing down. His mother passed just weeks after Graduation released, with him and his fiancé splitting soon after. It seemed everything had been taken from him after achieving his dreams.
At the peak of Kanye’s superstar status, his world would come crashing down. His mother passed just weeks after Graduation released, with him and his fiancé splitting soon after. It seemed everything had been taken from him after achieving his dreams.
Musical Therapy
Rather than work through his pain over time, Kanye decided to put the emotions into a new project. Originally planned to be Good Ass Job, the conclusion to the Education series, he instead began working on 808s & Heartbreak.
Rather than work through his pain over time, Kanye decided to put the emotions into a new project. Originally planned to be Good Ass Job, the conclusion to the Education series, he instead began working on 808s & Heartbreak.
It’s Still Guy Music
Knowing he was going against the norm, Kanye can be seen defending the emotional themes of the album. Also, the shift to melodic songs came to him after seeing how well his previous songs with melody performed.
Knowing he was going against the norm, Kanye can be seen defending the emotional themes of the album. Also, the shift to melodic songs came to him after seeing how well his previous songs with melody performed.
Auto Tune
The album would be filled with verses sung aided by autotune. Kanye fell in love with autotune after using it during Graduation concerts, so he could sing T-Pain’s part of Good Life. Michael Jackson also inspired him to sing after complimenting his voice.
The album would be filled with verses sung aided by autotune. Kanye fell in love with autotune after using it during Graduation concerts, so he could sing T-Pain’s part of Good Life. Michael Jackson also inspired him to sing after complimenting his voice.
808s
It’s no surprise that an album titled 808s & Heartbreak would be filled with 808 drums. Kanye cited the inspiration coming from Phil Collins, which can likely be traced to his single “In The Air Tonight.”
It’s no surprise that an album titled 808s & Heartbreak would be filled with 808 drums. Kanye cited the inspiration coming from Phil Collins, which can likely be traced to his single “In The Air Tonight.”
Stand Alone Music
Kanye sought to create music that would stand on its own. He wanted to limit uses of samples, a huge contrast from his previous 3 albums. In total, the album only makes use of 3 samples. They’re seen on RoboCop, Bad News, and Coldest Winter
Kanye sought to create music that would stand on its own. He wanted to limit uses of samples, a huge contrast from his previous 3 albums. In total, the album only makes use of 3 samples. They’re seen on RoboCop, Bad News, and Coldest Winter
The Man On The Moon
Kanye enlisted Kid Cudi, an artist with no album out, to help craft his vision. Cudi would often play something for Kanye, with about half a hook written, which ye would then finish effortlessly. The duos synergy was immediately recognizable.
Kanye enlisted Kid Cudi, an artist with no album out, to help craft his vision. Cudi would often play something for Kanye, with about half a hook written, which ye would then finish effortlessly. The duos synergy was immediately recognizable.
