Released: November 24, 2008
In 808s & Heartbreak, Kanye West took a bold step away from traditional hip-hop, using auto-tune and a minimalist production style to explore themes of loss, heartbreak, and personal vulnerability. Tracks like "Heartless" and "Love Lockdown" represented a radical departure from his previous work, influencing a new wave of artists and shaping the sound of modern hip-hop and R&B.