808’s is a very popular deep bass that is used in music genres like trap, hip hop and electronic music. 808’s were created from a drum machine called The Roland TR-808. 808’s started being used in the 1980’s, it became popular because of the deep bass that’s so low that people can physically feel it in their body when they listen. Since the frequency is so low it produces long wavelengths that move the air. When it is played loud enough it vibrates your chest and your stomach, sometimes even the walls. 808’s do sound good to people who like a lot of bass but is it something that is safe to listen to?
Firstly, everything we consume when it comes to music, social media, food and other things can affect our mood and our thoughts. The feeling we get from consuming these different things can trigger certain emotions which has an affect on the thoughts that we have. For example, when you eat your favorite food it may trigger a happy or comforting emotion which leads to some people thinking “this is so good” or “I love this food.” Some of the things we consume can have a negative affect or a positive affect on our actions, what we think and what we feel.
Because 808’s is a very low frequency, it allows you to not only hear the sound but to feel it physically. Low frequencies such as the 808’s can trigger certain feelings such as feeling more dominant or powerful, it triggers an adrenaline rush, it makes people want to move their body’s and it can increase excitement and energy. Though 808’s are popular in other genres, it is mostly known for being used in trap, hip hop and drill music. Sometimes these genres of music can emphasize violence, aggression, sex and dominance. Music is what ties emotions to the words being rapped or sung. 808’s is a strong low frequency that people feel more than they hear it so when that is paired with lyrics that is promoting violence and sex it makes people feel powerful, it gives them an adrenaline rush. The physical feeling from the bass amplifies what’s being spoken in the music. Music can become apart of someone’s identity when they listen to it constantly like a routine and identity influences your actions.
Some people say that bass causes aggression but actually it just amplifies the intensity of the emotions from the song. It depends on the person listening to the song if they choose to act on what they feel. Unfortunately there has been multiple instances where people do act off of their emotions along with the music they’re listening to which can encourage them to do things that they shouldn’t. Overall, 808’s is a very low frequency that is physically felt. Most producers use 808’s because they’re simple and filling, they help carry a melody without overpowering it if you use the correctly. My brother likes to make beats and he uses 808’s in all of his beats so I asked him why. He said that he feels that he likes for his beats to make the speaker vibrate, he likes how it feels. I agree because I love how 808’s sound, most of the music I listen to has 808’s. (The song I posted has heavy 808’s and so does the album).
