- All Hail the Beat' celebrates a rhythm machine deemed obsolete in 1984 but still influential until to this day. The Roland TR-808 existed from 1980 to 1984. In that brief time span it was embraced by hip hop and helped inspire the creation of new dance music genres (electro boogie, techno) as we hear in testimony from innovators D-Nice, formerly of Boogie Down Productions, Arthur Baker, producer of the classic "Planet Rock" for Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force, and Juan Atkins, credited with creating the Detroit techno sound. Editor Waajeed, who is also a well known hip hop producer himself, has created a sonic tapestry of 808 beats that runs underneath the film, as if the device itself is giving commentary on its history.—Anonymous
- The Roland TR-808, an obscure rhythm machine that was made only for four years in the early 80s, remains one of the crucial music making tools across the globe. This music and graphic heavy doc explains why this device has been crucial in the creation of innovative musical styles from hip hop to techno, electro to Miami bass. Using beats created by top producer Waajeed, All Hail the Beat allows us to hear the wide range of sounds young creators around the world have produced out of a machine thought obsolete way back in 1984. Fact is most young producers know the 808 as a digital file and have never seen the actual 808. A dynamic graphic treatment of a text by music historian/director Nelson George tells the story of the 808 while our viewers will feel its block rocking beats rattle their speakers.
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