Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) / Baby Baba Boogie

Released in 1980 by the Tulsa-based funk ensemble The Gap Band, 'Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)' served as the lead single from their fifth studio album, 'Gap Band III'. Produced by Lonnie Simmons at Total Experience Studios, the track arrived during a pivotal period for the group as they transitioned from their earlier R&B roots toward a more polished, synth-heavy funk sound. The song was instrumental in cementing the band's commercial viability, reaching the top of the Billboard R&B chart and demonstrating the production prowess that would define their output throughout the decade.

The record label Mercury distributed this single globally, featuring the high-energy dance track 'Baby Baba Boogie' on the B-side. The design and sound of the release captured the emerging electro-funk aesthetic of the early 1980s, characterized by driving basslines and layered synthesizers. It was received warmly by both critics and club DJs, helping to bridge the gap between soul radio formats and the burgeoning dance music scene, thereby ensuring the track remained a staple of funk compilations for decades to follow.