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Watch a Trailer for a New Documentary About the Roland TR-808 Drum Machine

Apple Music, in conjunction with You Know Films and Atlantic Films (part of Atlantic Records), is offering up an ambitious documentary: a film about the evolution and cultural impact of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. The film was announced in the spring, but the first preview only appeared last night on Beats 1 Radio’s YouTube channel.

Judging by the clip, the documentary will tackle not just the device’s impact on hip-hop (it was crucial from the early ’80s on, to many different strains of the genre) but will also explore its influence on club music, pop, and more experimental electronic music as well. The movie will be narrated by Zane Lowe, and include interviews with Afrika Bambaataa, Pharrell, David Guetta, New Order, Rick Rubin, the Beastie Boys, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Phil Collins, Damon Albarn, Lil Jon, and many more.

Watch the trailer below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LMPzuRWoNgE