"808s & Heartbreak" is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kanye West, released on November 24, 2008, by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. The album was recorded earlier that year in September and October at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California, and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. West was primarily assisted by producers No I.D., Plain Pat, Jeff Bhasker, and Mr. Hudson, and also featured guest vocalists on some tracks, including Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, and Lil Wayne.
The album was conceived after West's breakup with his then-fiancée Alexis Phifer and the death of his mother, Donda West, in 2007. 808s & Heartbreak marked a significant departure from West's previous rap records, featuring West's sung vocals processed through an Auto-Tune effect over an electronic production style. The album’s sound is characterized by its minimalist, emotionally charged atmosphere, which includes the prominent use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, minor keys, and electronic elements. The lyrics of 808s & Heartbreak explore themes such as loss, heartache, alienation, and the isolation of fame, influenced by West's personal tragedies and struggles with his public persona.
808s & Heartbreak debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling slightly over 450,000 copies in its first week. Despite mixed reactions from some listeners, the album received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who praised West's willingness to experiment. It was named one of the best albums of 2008 by several year-end publications. The album featured four singles, including the hit songs "Love Lockdown" (which became the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 for West) and "Heartless." Despite this, the album was largely overlooked at the 52nd Grammy Awards, although its track "Amazing" was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
808s & Heartbreak has been cited as one of West’s most influential works, with a profound impact on hip hop, pop, and R&B music. It helped pave the way for a new generation of rappers, singers, and producers who incorporated its stylistic and thematic elements. The album has been credited with inspiring the emo rap and experimental R&B subgenres. Rolling Stone later ranked 808s & Heartbreak as one of the "40 Most Groundbreaking Albums of All Time" and included it in its revised list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" at number 244. By 2013, the album had sold 1.7 million copies in the United States and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) by 2020.
