"But I think that in many contemporary R&B, Rap, and Dancehall Reggae songs, the word "boom" often is an approximation of powerful gun fire."

That's what I figured myself, "bam" could mean gunfire.

I know enough English to get by, but I pick up on regional slang
pretty easily, if I'm in a new area where the lingo is different.

My aunt teaches English, so I try to use proper grammar when I'm at
a family gathering.