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The Boombox Project: The Machines, the Music, and the Urban Underground

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Arrives Wednesday, Jul 29
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Description

On the heels of the graffiti renaissance comes a vibrant look at an old-school icon that figured prominently in the hip-hop, rock & roll, and punk movements of the 1970s and 80s. The Boombox Project features contemporary fine art portraits of an array of vintage boomboxes, as well as scores of documentary photographs of the people who brought the boombox movement to life back in the day. The book is more than just a collection of images, though; it’s also an oral history of the early days of hip-hop, featuring memories from Fab 5 Freddy, Bob Gruen, Rosie Perez, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, Lisa Lisa, DJ Spooky, and Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, among others, on the role this once ubiquitous machine played. Part pop cultural history and part “gadget porn,” this lively and highly stylish volume is one of the cool books of the season. Praise for The Boombox Project: "Photographer Lyle Owerko tells the whole story with crisp still lifes and an oral history of an era when graffiti and antigentrification ruled." --Playboy, October 2010 Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams


Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2010


Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd Printing


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 160 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810982757


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 58


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.45 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 1 x 11 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #2,689,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #598 in Individual Photographer Books #747 in Rap Music (Books) #1,300 in Music Recording & Sound (Books)


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Wednesday, Jul 29

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Incredible collection of info and boomboxes
Format: Hardcover
I collect old 80s boomboxes, and knew once I found this book I HAD to have it. The info and history inside is an incredible flashback to the late 70s and early 80s. There are wonderful testimonials and anecdotes from musicians, rappers, breakers, and anyone who had a fond adolescence growing up with a boombox firmly gripped over their shoulder. The nostalgia and history is really something to behold, and it's only enhanced with wonderful two-page spreads of actual boomboxes. Each one is full of character. I have this book sitting front and center on my boombox collection. Really adds to the conversation piece. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to rediscover some of their childhood, or those who want to appreciate days-gone-by, when hip-hop was still in it's infancy and it seemed everyone was writing graffiti. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013 by Gavinardo

  • I like it
Format: Hardcover
Definitely interesting book
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026 by Wilizm

  • If you love vintage radios, you have to buy this book!
Format: Hardcover
Growing up in the day when most of these radios could be seen in a store for purchase, this book took me back! I collect Vintage radios, so for me it it's the perfect coffee table book. It has plenty of pictures, a few exploded views showing the construction of a few models, and many great chapters on the times and the culture that embraced the boombox as an essential element. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014 by Homer J

  • Back In the Day
Format: Hardcover
Great concept. Great execution.Owerko does an admirable job as both photographer and curator of chronicling a New York minute of time, and does so with a certain aplomb. I even bough one of the prints.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2013 by Maxwell Fohrman

  • Love it!
Format: Hardcover
Great book and seller os awesome - description truthful and shipping expedient.
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022 by Jim

  • Awesome photos of some rare ghetto blasters
Format: Hardcover
Awesome photos of some rare ghetto blasters. I got myself a JVC M90 a few years back and trying to figure out what comes next in my small collection. A can use this book to explain my mini-obsession with friends/family.
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2016 by MCDeltaT

  • Not about boomboxes, more about the feelings on boomboxes by former owners.
Format: Hardcover
I was hoping for more about boomboxes There are a few pics but zero technical or making of info. Instead this is a book of ver similar anecdotes about those who owned boxes when they were a new thing in their youth and the freedom it gave them in their ultra urban world. 'My music , anywhere, anytime, even if they don't like it' is a fake example of a common quote in here. Hip hop heads may enjoy it more but I really didn't as I wanted to read about boomboxes not the feelings about boomboxes by the people who carried them in the early eighties..... ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2014 by Cracked Vinyl

  • Excellent
Format: Hardcover
This book really covers the hobby of collecting vintage boomboxes well. Looks into the history and is well worth the price just for the photographs, not to mention the many stories.
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2014 by Jeff Fast

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