808 Day 2025: Roland Celebrates 45 Years of Rhythm Culture

Roland Corporation is celebrating the 45th anniversary of its iconic TR-808 Rhythm Composer. Since its debut in 1980, the TR-808, often called "the 808," has significantly influenced musical genres including hip-hop, techno, and trap. Its distinctive sound has been featured in numerous hit songs and underground anthems, establishing TR drum machines as a foundational element of global rhythm culture.

To commemorate 808 Day, Roland is launching special releases and global events, including a limited-edition collaboration with New Balance, to honor the 808's lasting legacy and cultural influence.

The Rhythm Creators Series

Roland is introducing "The Rhythm Creators," an eight-part animated video series that shares untold stories from artists whose work has been shaped by the TR-808 and TR-909. The series features stylized animation by Detroit artist Vaughn Taormina and narration from the artists themselves, blending humor, reverence, and nostalgia.

The first episode features Egyptian Lover, with subsequent episodes showcasing artists like Prince Paul, Fatboy Slim, and Soul II Soul's Jazzie B, releasing throughout August and September.

New Balance Collaboration

Roland has partnered with New Balance to relaunch the special edition Tiago Lemos NM808 x Roland sneaker. This collaboration highlights the 808's impact on music and culture, bridging skateboarding, hip-hop, and fashion.

To celebrate this partnership, Roland and New Balance are hosting an exclusive industry mixer in Atlanta for the creative community, focusing on the 808's legacy in the birthplace of trap music. The event will take place at SESSIONS Atlanta, founded by producer Tricky Stewart, and will feature Roland product demonstrations, live performances by Sonny Digital and Mix Master David, and an appearance by Don Cannon, host of the BackTrack podcast. The Tiago Lemos NM808 x Roland sneakers will be available for purchase on newbalance.com starting August 8th for $114.99.

Roland Retail Celebrations: Tokyo and London

In Tokyo, Roland is collaborating with streetwear brand XLARGE for an 808 Day celebration at their stores in the Harajuku District. The event will include live techno sets and an exclusive preview of the limited-edition XLARGE x 808 capsule collection, featuring graphic apparel and accessories that merge XLARGE's streetwear style with Roland's 808 design. The original TR-808 machine will also be on display.

Roland Store London is also hosting an in-store celebration, offering opportunities to purchase the XLARGE x 808 capsule collection in-store and online. The event will feature live sets by DJ Complexion.

Roland Cloud Offerings

Roland Cloud is releasing the TR-808 Arabian Prince sound pack, allowing users to access classic patterns and sequences from hip-hop legend Arabian Prince. This pack is available with a Roland Cloud Pro or Ultimate membership or a Lifetime Key purchase.

Additionally, the TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer is available for $49 until September 9th, providing an accessible way to use the classic 808 sound within Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs).

For further insights into TR rhythm culture, Roland recommends reading articles such as:

• Arabian Prince on 808's Technology and West-Coast Hip-Hop
• How Yellow Magic Orchestra Launched the 808 Revolution
• Sound Behind the Song: "Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé
• Nothing Sounds Quite Like an 808: Analyzing the Sound That Changed Music

More information on Roland's 808 Day events and collaborations can be found on the official TR-808 promo page at roland.com.

About Roland Corporation

For over 50 years, Roland has been a leader in innovative electronic musical instruments and multimedia products, inspiring artists and creators globally. The company's offerings include pianos, synthesizers, guitar products, drum and percussion products, DJ controllers, audio/video solutions, gaming mixers, and livestreaming products. Roland, along with its brands such as BOSS, V-MODA, Drum Workshop (DW), PDP, Latin Percussion (LP), and Slingerland, continues to provide modern solutions and integrated creative workflows for music makers.

For more information, visit Roland.com or a local Roland dealer. Follow Roland on Facebook, Twitter (@RolandGlobal), and Instagram (@RolandGlobal).

Press Contact:

Dana Monroe
Max Borges Agency
+1 (740) 644-5870
roland@maxborgesagency.com

Company Contact:

Rebecca Genel
Roland Corporation
+1 (323) 890-3718
rebecca.genel@roland.com