While in Tokyo in 2001, photographer Lyle Owerko found a mint, late-seventies Victor JVC Boombox at an outdoor market. Having already been a collector, his hunt began for more rare and obscure models. Beloved by rappers, b-boys, dancers, political protestors and punks, a siren call to gather and dance, the boombox reminds us of when music was a collective experience and the street was a club. Owerko spent years collecting and photographing a remarkable set of vintage boomboxes, resulting in an arresting, unexpected photoseries of these cult objects, culminating in XOYO and The Whisper Galleries “The Boombox” exhibition. If you’re in the London area, the collection runs through January 2012.

The Whisper Gallery
32-37 Cowper St.
Islington
Greater London
EC2A 4AW

Photography: Ravi Sidhu/Hypebeast

Photographer Lyle Owerko recently compiled a series of photographs which document numerous different boomboxes which were such a popular commodity in the 80s and 90s. A staple amongst any musically driven subculture, the boombox on the shoulder would become an image ingrained in the minds of many for generations to come. Fifteen different boomboxes are seen from popular brands to now defunct unknown brands. The feature can be seen over at Owerko.com, click Portfolios and then The Boombox Project.