How Kanye West’s ‘808s & Heartbreak’ Influenced A New Generation Of Rap | Genius News

Summary

Kanye West’s *808s & Heartbreak* marked a pivotal shift in his music, influenced by personal loss and heartbreak. After the death of his mother and a breakup, Kanye embraced a new sound, using the Roland TR-808 and heavy auto-tune to express his grief. The album’s melody-driven style, blending emotion with hip-hop, resonated with younger audiences and influenced artists like Drake, Juice WRLD, and Travis Scott. Despite initial criticism, *808s* reshaped modern hip-hop and pop music, marking Kanye as an innovator who paved the way for the current wave of emotional and melodic rap.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kanye West's *808s & Heartbreak* album came after personal tragedies, including the death of his mother and the end of his engagement, which heavily influenced its themes of loss and sorrow.
• 😀 The album marked a departure from Kanye’s previous style, with minimal samples and a heavy use of auto-tune, inspired by T-Pain and hip-hop’s evolving sound in 2008.
• 😀 Kanye's use of auto-tune, initially criticized by the public and even Jay-Z, became a significant aspect of the album, showing his commitment to creative expression despite backlash.
• 😀 *808s & Heartbreak* was not just about auto-tune; Kanye aimed to create a unique sound with beats driven by the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which shaped the album's melancholy tone.
• 😀 The album's lyrics, especially on tracks like 'Coldest Winter' and 'Pinocchio Story,' reflect Kanye's internal struggles, including guilt over his mother's death and the cost of fame.
• 😀 *808s* received mixed reactions: while some adults disliked the album's emotional and melodic nature, younger fans embraced it, feeling a deep connection to its rawness.
• 😀 The album laid the groundwork for modern rap's melodic shift, influencing artists like Drake, Juice WRLD, Uzi, and Travis Scott, who have embraced similar sounds in their music.
• 😀 Kanye’s collaborator, Kid Cudi, contributed significantly to the album, with his emotional vulnerability resonating through both his writing on *808s* and his own debut album.
• 😀 Despite early criticism, *808s & Heartbreak* was a commercial success, with hit singles like 'Love Lockdown' and 'Heartless' reaching high chart positions.
• 😀 The album's impact can be seen in today’s hip-hop, with many of the genre's biggest hits, including Travis Scott's work, drawing from the melodic and emotional elements Kanye pioneered on *808s*.

Q & A

What was the commercial success of Kanye West's '808s and Heartbreak' album?

'808s and Heartbreak' was a commercial success, going platinum within a few months of its release. The singles 'Heartless' and 'Love Lockdown' became some of Kanye’s highest-charting singles, peaking at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

How did Kanye West's personal life influence the direction of '808s and Heartbreak'?

Kanye West's personal experiences, including the death of his mother Donda West and the end of his engagement to Alexis Phifer, heavily influenced the themes of loss and sorrow throughout the '808s' album. These events pushed him in a new direction, changing his original album concept to '808s and Heartbreak'.

Why was the use of auto-tune significant in '808s and Heartbreak'?

The use of auto-tune in '808s and Heartbreak' was significant because it allowed Kanye to convey emotional pain and vulnerability in his vocals, which was a departure from his usual style. It was also a reflection of the influence of T-Pain and other artists using auto-tune at the time.

How did Kanye West's relationship with T-Pain affect the making of '808s and Heartbreak'?

Kanye enlisted T-Pain to help create '808s and Heartbreak,' but their sessions were not always smooth. T-Pain later remarked that Kanye's use of auto-tune in the album closely resembled his own work from 'Rappa Ternt Sanga,' which he believed was a form of copying.

What role did the Roland TR-808 play in the production of '808s and Heartbreak'?

The Roland TR-808, a revolutionary rhythm machine from the 1980s, played a key role in shaping the sound of '808s and Heartbreak.' Kanye West was introduced to it by producer Jon Brion, and it provided the album's distinct percussive elements, including the deep kicks and snares that contributed to the album's signature sound.

What was the reaction to '808s and Heartbreak' upon its release?

The album received mixed reviews upon release. Many adults criticized it, saying it was a departure from what they expected from Kanye, while younger fans connected with the raw emotion of the album, marking a divide in the reception.

How did Kanye West's approach to melody differ from his earlier work?

Kanye's approach to melody in '808s and Heartbreak' marked a departure from his earlier work, where he was known for chopping up soul samples. He focused more on creating melodies that stood on their own, with tracks like 'Love Lockdown' and 'Heartless' not relying on samples.

What impact did '808s and Heartbreak' have on future artists, specifically Drake?

Drake was heavily influenced by '808s and Heartbreak,' with his breakout mixtape 'So Far Gone' featuring a cover of 'Say You Will.' He later acknowledged Kanye as the most influential person in shaping his sound, with producer 40 also citing the album's impact on their style.

How did Kanye West's personal philosophy about melody influence '808s and Heartbreak'?

Kanye believed that melody was a powerful tool for expressing emotion, especially in music education. He saw melody as a way to express himself in a unique way, blending rap with harmonic elements, which was central to '808s and Heartbreak.'

What role did Kid Cudi play in the creation of '808s and Heartbreak'?

Kid Cudi contributed to '808s and Heartbreak' with four writing credits. His unique style of emotional delivery resonated with Kanye, leading to a creative partnership. Cudi's influence was instrumental in shaping the album's mood and thematic elements.