I think it might have been this? The Sony Walkman NW-MS70D. It's the right shape and weird controls, but I remember it being black.
Award-winning, sweaty infosec journalist for PCMag.
A weak 4 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a Wizard.
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Former write-in candidate for Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner.
Top image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/biomedical_scraps/sets/72157631972632298