Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story
For decades, "Bam Bam" has been a sampled track within the music industry. It showcases the transcendent stylings and legacy of Sister Nancy.
Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story, Alison Duke
The first female dancehall DJ, a pioneer who fearlessly stepped into and stood out in the male world of reggae is the star of this documentary. Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story (2024) reveals the majestic sistren behind the song still dominating the genre, and crossing over into others 40 years later. As we follow her travelling on tour in the present day, we are regaled with stories about what influenced her come up in the past.
The sounds, a group of DJs, MCs and engineers who set up rival street parties (clashes), the Kingston six area in which she was born and raised, and her brother Brigadier Jerry were three of her most important shapers, with scenes played out by child actors depicting her formative years, showing us how.
Through scratchy static vinyl, song wheel ups, blaring horns and locations daubed across the screen in Pan African colours, we learn that music is a catalogue, a conveyor belt linking us together; the instrumental for Bam Bam having derived from the legendary Stalag 17 Riddim mixed in 1974 and the actual song sampled over 140 times since its release in 1982. Interviews with Janelle Monae, Sister Carol, Michie Mee and Queen Ifrica articulate the reverberation and longevity of the song and the template and blueprint of the woman.
“The film will have you bobbing your head throughout with snippets of songs played as they are mentioned”
Written, directed and produced by Canadian filmmaker Alison Duke, with editing from Eugene Weis, the film will have you bobbing your head throughout with snippets of songs played as they are mentioned, a who’s who of reggae artists woven together for the good of the sound and the movement. Filled with archival footage of Sister Nancy, born Ophlin Russell, two of the most enduring images are her swathed in the Jamaican flag on her way to perform, a wrapping that appeared to protect her and propel her forward, and a group of men following her on one of her regular returns home - a musical pied piper, the symbolic reverse of how it was when she was younger, unknown and derided.
Told to put down the mic, deterred and insulted, Bam Bam the song, an improvised one-take that originated from a scramble to find the final tune for her first album, demonstrates the magic that can happen when you bravely deny your detractors the opportunity to define you. Not all that glitters is gold however, as the documentary touches on the murkier side of the entertainment industry and what happens when artists do not own the rights to their songs.
In the lyrics “used, never refused but abused” explains the song’s trajectory and alludes to the fact Sister Nancy didn’t receive any royalties for 30-plus years following its release, and was still working her day job as an accountant at a bank to make ends meet. Upon recognising her claim and employing a lawyer to fight it, a settlement was agreed with a third of backdated royalties and entitlement to 50% of future earnings awarded.
Bold, fearless and spicy, loved in the Black community and beyond, Sister Nancy has already given the world so much; an immortal song and a dedication and desire to continue performing it. Finally, she is not only getting her flowers and her homage, but her money too.
Release Date: March 27th, 2025 (TX25)
Directed by Alison Duke
Written by Alison Duke
Produced by Ngardy Conteh George, Alison Duke
Starring Sister Nancy
Cinematography by Lucas Joseph
Distributor: Oya Media Group
Runtime: 98 minutes.