Cassette tapes are a type of analog audio storage medium that became popular in the 1970s and 1980s. They consist of a plastic casing containing a magnetic tape, which records sound when an electrical signal is applied. Users can play, rewind, and fast-forward the tape using a cassette player, making them a convenient way to listen to music. These tapes were widely used for music distribution and personal recording, allowing people to create mixtapes. Although digital formats like CDs and MP3s have largely replaced them, cassette tapes still hold nostalgic value for many and are sometimes used in retro music collections.