The album title refers to the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which West used to make the drum sounds for the set. It also alludes to his feelings regarding the ending of his 18-month engagement to the designer Alexis Phifer and the recent tragic death of his mother. The Observer November 30, 2008 asked West what came first, the 808's or the Heartbreak? The Chicago rapper replied: "The music, then I came up with the title because I was taking an 808 and pitching it. A lot of people have used 808s in the past but because it was so low, nobody bothered messing with the pitch. I actually call the effect 'heartbreak.' It sounds distorted and electronic, and just the sound of it represents where I'm at."
The album was recorded in Hawaii whose area code is "808." However West said this was mere co-incidence as he'd already thought up the title before he became aware of this fact.
This was West's first release not to need a Parental Advisory label.
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