“Roland and Zanerobe share a passion for creativity and a commitment to influencing culture,” said Nathan Chandra, creative director and founder of Roland Lifestyle. “By teaming up, we are able to build a legacy that bridges the gap between music and fashion.”
At the beginning of the 1980s, after initially struggling to find success with only 12,000 units being manufactured, the TR-808’s popularity soared over time and in the last four decades, it’s become a staple piece amongst electronic, dance, hip-hop and many other music genres.
Roland’s “808,” helped pave the way for countless artists, who began experimenting with the drum machine and producing ear-grabbing and revolutionary sounds that fans everywhere soon obsessed over. Artists like Phil Collins, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Public Enemy, Run DMC and Beastie Boys found tremendous success over their careers partly thanks to Roland’s TR-808. Even today, influential artists like Kanye West, Pharrell, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, A-Trak and Diplo still incorporate sounds from the TR-808 into their music.
To continue to pave the way for the future of music, all the proceeds from the Roland Lifestyle x Zanerobe 808 collaboration will go towards funding six scholarships to the 1500 Sound Academy, an elite music school in Los Angeles that offers music industry education and production training to aspiring artists and professionals.
“We created 1500 Sound Academy with the goal to give back to our community,” said Larrance “Rance” Dopson, Grammy-winning producer and co-founder of 1500 Sound Academy. “We are thrilled to bring together three global organizations through art, music and fashion to help young musicians fulfill their dreams.”
The application process for the Roland x Zanerobe Scholarship at 1500 Academy is open from June 14 to June 30, 2021. All applicants are welcome.
The Roland x Zanerobe 808 collaboration includes a boilersuit, bucket hat, t-shirt, hoodie and cargo sweatpants. To purchase or learn more about the collaboration, visit www.rolandlifestyle.shop, www.zanerobe.com, or www.1500soundacademy.com.
