Lyric discussion by sprocketsnail 

Cover art for Boom Boom Pow lyrics by Black Eyed Peas, The

"We got the beat, that 808"

This is a reference to the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which features prominently in this song.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808

To me, 'Boom Boom Pow' is itself a tribute to the legendary 808 and the gut-wrenching sub-bass it can churn out on its kick drum sounds. Like a lot of us, BEP would have grown up listening to music featuring the 808, and I think this song is mainly a tribute to it.

My Interpretation