The Roland TR-808 drum machine was intended to give studio musicians a simple tool for making backbeats. Instead, it kickstarted a revolution—one whose story is captured in full by the documentary 808, as well as these tracks. Beastie Boys flipped the 808's icy beats in reverse to make “Paul Revere”; Shannon's freestyle pop breakout “Let the Music Play” is propelled by its gently swung kicks and snares; and Afrika Bambaataa's formative electro hip-hop classic “Planet Rock” thrives on its throbbing thuds and crisp hi-hats.