Burning The Ground Exclusive
As Memorial Day weekend arrives in the US, marking the unofficial start of Summer, I thought it would be fun to showcase one of the ultimate late-80s Summer anthems, “Cars With The Boom” by L’Trimm. Few songs capture the feeling of cruising around with friends, windows down, and giant speakers rattling the neighborhood quite like this Miami bass classic.
Released in 1988, “Cars With The Boom” by American hip hop duo L’Trimm became one of the defining records of the Miami bass explosion. Issued on Atlantic Records and Time-X Records as the third single from the duo’s debut album Grab It!, the track was a playful, bass-heavy anthem that perfectly captured late-80s car audio culture and street party energy. Produced by David Stone Klein, the single became L’Trimm’s biggest commercial success, peaking at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #39 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Consisting of Bunny D and Lady Tigra, L’Trimm emerged from Miami, Florida during a period when the city’s booming bass scene was starting to gain national attention. Their music combined 808-driven beats, playful rhymes, dancefloor hooks, and enough low-end to rattle car trunks for blocks. “Cars With The Boom” leaned fully into that culture, celebrating loud stereos, customized rides, and neighborhood cruising with an infectious sense of humor.
The track’s minimalist production is pure Miami bass. Heavy Roland 808 drums, simple synth stabs, and repetitive chants created a hypnotic groove that worked as well in clubs as it did blasting from car speakers. Unlike many hip hop records of the era that focused on lyrical complexity, L’Trimm delivered something intentionally fun and carefree. That approach helped the single stand out on radio and in clubs nationwide.
What made “Cars With The Boom” especially memorable was its personality. Bunny D and Lady Tigra traded playful verses and chants that felt spontaneous and unpolished in the best possible way. The chemistry between the two gave the song an authenticity that connected with listeners immediately. Even decades later, the hook remains instantly recognizable.
The music video became equally iconic. Filled with neon colors, customized cars, oversized fashions, and exaggerated humor, it perfectly reflected late-80s street culture and MTV aesthetics. Over time, the video became a cult favorite online and introduced the duo to a new generation of listeners.
The success of “Cars With The Boom” also helped push Miami bass further into the mainstream. At the time, the genre was still largely regional, thriving in Florida clubs and car culture scenes. Songs like this helped pave the way for later bass artists and Southern hip hop acts that would dominate throughout the 1990s and beyond.
The single appeared on the album Grab It!, originally released by Time-X Records before being licensed to Atlantic Records. The album itself reached the Billboard 200 and became a solid representation of the late-80s Miami bass sound.
For collectors, the original 7-inch and 12-inch singles remain sought-after pieces of late-80s hip hop history. The U.S. 7-inch, and 12-inch single featured “Don’t Come To My House” on the B-side.
So as Summer unofficially kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, crank up the volume, roll the windows down, and enjoy one of the most fun and unforgettable bass records of the 1980s. “Cars With The Boom” still sounds like sunshine, hot pavement, and giant speakers shaking the neighborhood.
SIDE A:
Cars With The Boom (Hot Summer Boom Remix) 3:54
SIDE B:
Don’t Come To My House (Cool Summer Remix) 4:27
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #54 | 1988 |
| US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop | #39 | 1988 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – 0-86506
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: Bass Music, Electro
CREDITS:
- Engineer [Remix] – B. Greenspan*
- Producer – Davis Stone Klein*
- Recorded By – C. Barwick*
- Remix – The Fly Boys
- Written-By – E. Cager*, J. Stone* (tracks: A), L. Julian*, P. Klein* (tracks: A), R. DeRougemont*
NOTES:
Remixed from the Atlantic LP 81925 “Grab It!”.
Produced for Hot Productions, Inc.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
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Oh my. I think I was transported back into my own bedroom when I saw this post. I remember hearing this played on the radio and I was hooked right away (thanks J.J Fad). I also felt that I was the only one who enjoyed this song back then, so seeing others that also love this track really warms my heart. It makes me feel that I’m in good company, so thank you for choosing this song to share with us, Paul.
I was one of those stereo builders back in the day.. I had no back seats, no trunk space, and lots of wire with an extra battery. Oddly enough, I can still hear, though my setup wasn’t quite competition grade. I heard this song exactly once, at a stereo competition in a neighboring state. It wasn’t my cup of tea music style wise, but it was definitely memorable (and fun). My pleasure was listening to music and finding music that almost had a new life of meaning with the bass parts accentuating parts that you didn’t know were there. One… Read more »
I even noticed in one of Paul’s posts he called this “Cars That Go Boom”, which practically everyone called the song. Even I had to correct one of my posts. They should have titled the song the way the fans referred to it on the streets – “The Cars That Go Boom”! Ha ha
The chart numbers don’t come close to reflecting the impact that this song had summer of ’88. In a car town like L.A., you could not escape the effect this had on car culture. Every homie who souped up his ride had this blasting where you could hear it for blocks before it made your windows rattle
This obscure jam is one of my faves!!! Even JLO knows this song.
Thank you Paul.Fantastic! I had completely forgotten about these girls. I know I used to own the 12″ single, I immediately remembered the cover, but I can’t find it anymore. So, a huge thank you to you once again for helping a lost treasure find its way back into my collection. If anyone happens to have their 12″ “Grab It,” please send it my way 😉 that’s one I’m still missing, too! I wish you all a great weekend.
Toxicaudio, that is exactly why I love doing these posts. So many of these records were part of our lives for a moment, then somehow disappeared into the fog of time until one little memory suddenly brings them rushing back. I think “Cars With The Boom” instantly transports a lot of us right back to Summer ’88. “Grab It” is another great one, too, pure Miami bass energy from start to finish. I will look for a copy. Glad I could help reunite you with an old favorite, my friend. Have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend and enjoy the music… Read more »
Hi Paul, that’s strange – I actually did send you an email with the download link. I just checked again, and the address was: pault1969 at gmail.com. If you haven’t received anything, just send me an email at: toxicaudio at freenet.de and I will answer you asap.
Ahhhh, one of my absolute favorites from 1988!! Truly one of the top tracks of the year. I first heard this on a college radio station and loved it right away. After I heard it a few times I of course had to buy it… went to the record store and the only option they had available was the 7″ 45 so that is what I got. Not sure why this one speaks to me so much, really hard to pinpoint, and sometimes that is part of the magic of great music. The bass line and silly lyrics and everything… Read more »
JP, this is such a fantastic comment and perfectly captures why certain records become timeless. Sometimes there is no logical explanation. A song just hits the right nerve at the right moment and stays with you forever. “Cars With The Boom” really is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle records. It should almost be impossible for something so simple and playful to work this well, yet it absolutely does. I totally agree with you about Bunny D and Lady Tigra. Their chemistry and the obvious fun they were having give the track its soul. You can hear the personality all over it,… Read more »
Miami track yes. TR-808 kind of.This was produced with the Emu SP1200. The 808 drums were sampled, tuned and arranged on the 1200. Since the beats were not programmed on the 808, this track lacks the immediate power and charm of some of the classic Miami bass releases where the quirkiness of the 808 internal sequencer gets to shine and does its bubbly thing. Even the hardest homeboys in the streets secretly listened to and enjoyed the Cars That Go Boom (in more ways than one). Thanks for sharing an 80s bubble gum classic.
Johnny, excellent observation and thank you for adding that detail. You can definitely hear the difference once you mention it. The sampled and sequenced approach on the Emu SP-1200 gives the track a tighter, more controlled feel compared to some of the rawer Miami bass records that were driven directly by the TR-808’s internal sequencer. Those classic 808 patterns had a loose, almost bouncing personality that was hard to replicate exactly once sampled. That said, I think the slightly cleaner SP-1200 approach may have actually helped “Cars That Go Boom” cross over a bit more commercially. It still had the… Read more »
I was gonna mention that this was one of those goofy songs that the scariest, most hardcore homies would crank up to 11 in their ride, almost ripping the cones out of those bass boxes mounted in their trunks. To them, being able to blast “Cars With The Boom” at full volume without distortion made them proud to own such a testosterone-fueled audio system. This also made Al & Ed’s Auto Sound a lot of money outfitting rides that could handle this track!
I always read Paul’s articles, and they’re very good, becoming more and more comprehensive and detailed each time. But this time, I have nothing to add or write in the chat; it’s perfect.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank him for sharing his posts and knowledge every week. Sometimes I imagine he even sacrifices pleasant moments to recover from adversity, like the Mega account issue.
Thanks, Paul, and have a great weekend, everyone. Best regards.
Rubén, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. Comments like yours truly mean a lot to me. I’m really happy that you enjoy the articles and the extra detail I’ve been putting into them. I’ve always believed these records and artists deserve to have their stories preserved and celebrated properly. You are right that sometimes there are challenges behind the scenes, and the Mega situation was definitely one of those stressful moments, but the support and encouragement from everyone here made it much easier to get through. This community has become something very special to me over the… Read more »
Thank you, Paul! I’ve always loved Miami Bass, as silly as it may be. Those big PHAT BEATS always get me going! This is such a killer song! Glad you’re highlighting this genre too!
Killer song indeed 🙂
Miami Bass is a world all of its own! This track is one of my favorites of the genre. Special shout out to Charles ‘Da Real One’ Trahan’s underrated cover of the Rupert Holmes classic with1997’s “U Like Piña Colada.”
Axel, I’m right there with you. Miami Bass may be silly at times, but that’s honestly part of its charm. It was never meant to be overly serious music, it was about energy, huge beats, parties, cars, dancing, and just having fun. When those massive bass lines hit, it’s almost impossible not to move. “Cars With The Boom” is such a perfect example of the genre because it balances humor, attitude, and infectious grooves so well. These tracks were built to shake speakers and put smiles on faces. I’ve always had a soft spot for Miami Bass and freestyle because… Read more »
It has literally been ages since I’ve last heard this, along with JJ Fad’s, “Supersonic!” I started to get into the Miami Bass sound because it was so much an offshoot of Electro. I always gave credit to Arthur Baker and john Robie for spearheading the use of the Roland 808 drum machine for so much of the 1980’s Hip Hop, Electro, and Freestyle genres. Songs like this one screamed cars, speakers, and summer madness! Thank you, Paul, for “throbbing” us into the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summertime! I love this music because it would pleasurably… Read more »
Thanks Jeff. Have a great weekend and thanks for always being so thoughtful. Hugs.
Rubén,
Thanks, pal! Hope things are better with your hard drive too.
Hugs,
Jeff
Jeff You Make Me Smile Everytime I read Your Comments. Have A Nice Weekend!!
Great taste my friend! Enjoyed the heck out of your comment on this one.
Don’t forget to turn down the treble and flaunt your bass, so your car could be heard almost any place!!
Wishing you and everyone else here a great holiday weekend 🙂
Thank you Jeff.I wish you a fantastic weekend as well 😉
Jeff, you always paint such vivid pictures with your comments and this one absolutely nails the spirit of these records. You are so right about the connection between Electro and Miami Bass. Without pioneers like Arthur Baker and John Robie pushing the Roland TR-808 into the spotlight, the entire sonic landscape of 80s Hip Hop, Freestyle, and Miami Bass would have looked very different. Those booming low frequencies and sharp electro rhythms really laid the groundwork for what came after. And yes, songs like “Cars With The Boom” and J.J. Fad’s “Supersonic” absolutely defined that car stereo culture. You didn’t… Read more »
Uh, oh. Jeff’s already needs a cold shower, and the weekend has only just begun! He can’t help it though, this song always got blood pressures a’ risin’ every time someone who passed you on da street would be a’ blastin’ it and ya couldn’t help singin’ and rump shakin’!
DJ Xrey,
You know me so well! Here’s to keep on “rising!”
Have a fantastic weekend my friend!!
Jeff
Hey Paul This Is A Jamm For Sure. What I did Back In The Day Is Add Bass To The Track When They Said Boom. This Record Needed That Sound. It Was Lacking That Bass Boom. Back In The Day I Mixed This Jamm With Dynamix II – Just Give The DJ A Break. Thanks For The Jamm!!!
Mark, now that sounds like an authentic old-school DJ solution right there! Honestly, I can totally picture you punching in extra low-end emphasis right on the “boom” parts to make the floor and car systems react the way the record almost demanded. That kind of live tweaking and creativity is what made DJs so important back then. Sometimes you had to enhance the energy yourself depending on the system and the crowd. And mixing this with Dynamix II “Just Give The DJ A Break” makes perfect sense. That track had the harder, rawer bass attack, so I bet the transition… Read more »
another great throwback!! I loved this song so much and always pair it with JJ Fad in my mind. I saw the title and immediately heard the lyrics and beat, THANK YOU for posting, I am looking forward to listening to this again
Greg, I think a lot of us automatically connect this with J.J. Fad too. They really sit side-by-side in that late-80s memory bank, fun, bass-heavy tracks with unforgettable hooks that instantly transport you back to that era. The moment you see the title “Cars With The Boom,” your brain immediately fills in the beat and “we like the cars, the cars that go boom” whether you want it to or not! That’s one of the signs of a truly iconic record. It permanently embeds itself into your memory. Even after years of not hearing it, it comes right back in… Read more »
I heay ya! Thanks for the great post, Paul! This is an easily forgettable song as it is rarely on compilations and I don’t think I’ve heard it since the late 80s. It is/was such a fun, summer song…I wish it got more coverage where I lived (CT). When the chorus came on, everybody danced whether you were at a club or in the car! Thanks for the great flashback and have an awesome weekend!
Fred, that is exactly what makes songs like this so special. They may disappear from radio and compilations for years, but the second you hear that beat and chorus again, the memories come flooding right back. “Cars With The Boom” really was one of those pure fun records that instantly changed the atmosphere wherever it played. You also make a good point about it not getting enough long-term exposure, especially outside certain regions. In places like Miami and parts of the South, Miami Bass stayed deeply embedded in the culture, but in other areas it sometimes felt more like a… Read more »
Proper old school Hip Hop, Paul, with that boomin’ bass.
Thanks for sharing.
peace,
dj
Don, absolutely. This is the kind of old school Hip Hop that was built to move air and shake walls. Pure late-80s bass culture with no apologies and no overthinking, just huge beats, catchy hooks, and good times.
One thing I’ve always loved about records like this is how raw and direct they were. The minute that bass kicked in, you instantly knew what kind of ride you were in for.
Really glad you enjoyed this one, my friend. Peace and booming bass always!
Tigra and Bunny are so adorable in this track that even though this genre was never my thing, I’ve always loved this record. Thank you!
Dean, I think that is a huge part of why this record crossed over beyond the typical Miami Bass audience. Bunny D and Lady Tigra brought so much charm and personality to it that even people who were not really into bass music could not help but smile when this came on. There’s an innocence and playful energy to the whole thing that makes it impossible to take too seriously, and that is exactly why it still feels so fun today. They looked like they were genuinely having the time of their lives, and that feeling completely comes through in… Read more »