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The Cocaine Cowboy's Drum Machine That Ate the '80s episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 29, 2026 · 15 MIN

The Cocaine Cowboy's Drum Machine That Ate the '80s

from The Second Track · host Podcaster

How a Japanese toy company's failed attempt at making a realistic drum machine accidentally created the most distinctive sound of the 1980s. From Miami Vice to 'In the Air Tonight,' we explore how the Roland TR-808's 'broken' bass drum became the backbone of hip-hop, defined an entire decade of pop music, and still dominates charts today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What this episode covers

How a Japanese toy company's failed attempt at making a realistic drum machine accidentally created the most distinctive sound of the 1980s. From Miami Vice to 'In the Air Tonight,' we explore how the Roland TR-808's 'broken' bass drum became the backbone of hip-hop, defined an entire decade of pop music, and still dominates charts today.

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The Cocaine Cowboy's Drum Machine That Ate the '80s

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How long is this episode of The Second Track?

This episode is 15 minutes long.

When was this The Second Track episode published?

This episode was published on April 29, 2026.

What is this episode about?

How a Japanese toy company's failed attempt at making a realistic drum machine accidentally created the most distinctive sound of the 1980s. From Miami Vice to 'In the Air Tonight,' we explore how the Roland TR-808's 'broken' bass drum became the...

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