#Transistor radio 1970s portable

To me, the thing that determines if a portable tape player is indeed a Boombox or Ghetto Blaster is that it’s made of metal or at least has that chrome look. You may remember the odd giant one being powered by a car battery. All good Boomboxes also can be powered by AC or DC cables, but can still run off batteries. You wrap all this up into a plastic or metal case, slap a handle on it and you’re ready to go. You can obviously picture what a Boombox or Ghetto Blaster looks like, but what are the components that make it what it is? A Boombox is technically: The real Boomboxes, on the other hand, have a history that goes into the 70s, before they became more prominent in the 80s. It was one of those black Casio type ones that looked non-threatening and the amp power of a coughing church mouse. I ended up getting a Boombox eventually, but it was like a Boombox that had been hit by a shrinking ray. That probably wouldn’t have gone over well at any block parties. My musical love in the 80s was hip hop, but probably not as hardcore as others.īut I was also listening to Young MC, MC Hammer, and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. But not only would I never be able to get one, I probably never had the guts to even take one out in public. I wanted a Ghetto Blaster more than life itself. This is a look back on the Boombox or if you referred to it like me, The Ghetto Blaster It was part instrument, part status symbol, and part cultural identity. You could take the party with you and EVERYONE could hear it.

The bigger the Boombox, the bigger the persona, and they became mainstays at any outdoor event.

The Ghetto Blaster was an identity that showed who you were, the music you liked, and the culture you were a part of.

This wasn’t just used to play music, it was a statement. They became part of urban culture and play a key role in the launch and evolution of hip hop.īefore Alexa, Siri, Bluetooth, or any portable speakers, there was the Ghetto Blaster or Boombox. You could record and play music on them with the larger ones producing high volume. The Ghetto Blaster, or Boombox, was a portable music player and transistor that had at least one cassette deck. Not only was it the must-have accessory if you wanted to take your music on the go, but it is also responsible for the rise of Hip Hop culture