Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreak: A Musical Experimentation

In hindsight, Kanye West's fourth studio album, 808s and Heartbreak, seems like a logical extension of his pre-existing interest in synthesizing pop, indie pop/rock, and hip-hop trends. On Graduation, most dramatically, he had already demonstrated his ability to blend genres and push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in mainstream music.

However, not everyone was immediately won over by 808s and Heartbreak. Faithful Kanye devotees who didn't like the album initially prayed that it was a one-off experiment, while others needed some time to let its unique pleasures settle in. Detractors thought Kanye had gone off the deep end, that he'd become too full of himself after the massive success of his previous experiments and had let the album's production slip as a result.

The album's downtempo sound, which featured little sampling and more singing than rapping, was perceived as a departure from Kanye's usual style. The fact that it was processed through T-Pain's maligned Autotune patch at the time didn't help matters. Many thought Kanye had 'gone emo' in the wake of his mother's death and the dissolution of his relationship with Alexis Phifer.

Despite the initial backlash, 808s and Heartbreak has since become a cult classic. It was an instant source of bewilderment and fascination upon its release almost seven years ago, and its influence can still be heard in music today. The album's use of Auto-Tune, in particular, paved the way for a new wave of artists who would experiment with the technology.

In retrospect, 808s and Heartbreak was a bold move by Kanye West, one that paid off in the long run. It showed him to be a true innovator and risk-taker, willing to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in popular music. The album may not have been an instant masterpiece in the eyes of everyone, but it has since become a beloved classic, and its influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

808s and heartbreak