Sister Nancy is a trailblazer. You might not recognize her face but you would most definitely recognize her music. Her iconic “Bam Bam” has not only been a smash hit around the globe but also is one the most sampled dancehall and reggae songs in history. From movies to mainstream ads to other recording artists including Jay-Z and Beyonce have sampled her music. Her songs are undeniably unforgettable. But there’s so much about this woman that most of us didn’t know. In the new documentary BAM BAM: The Sister Nancy Story by filmmaker Alison Duke, her story is one that will not only surprise but will inspire many.
The film follows Sister Nancy while on tour as she travels to Jamaica, London, Toronto, New York and Atlanta. In between the sold-out shows the filmmaker interweaves her history. From her upbringing in Jamaica to her move to the US and about her family life. It also takes audiences along in her quest to reclaim what is rightfully hers.
To say this film is an inspiration is an understatement. I knew of her voice and her music and how she was inspired by her older brother, Brigadier Jerry, who was already a well-known dancehall DJ. However, as a female in this genre was challenging. No surprise. But Sister Nancy, could hold her own and was proof that with her ambition nothing would get in her way.
“This woman, I never trouble no one
I’m a lady, I’m not a man
MC is my ambition
I come fi nice up Jamaican“
~ Bam Bam, Sister Nancy
When Sister Nancy went into the studio in Jamaica to record her version of Bam Bam in 1982, she did it freestyle. One take. She’s often told the story about how she recorded and then listened to write down the lyrics afterwards. It became a hit in North America but in Jamaica, she told us it was never played. “I never heard it play in Jamaica. One Two use to play there but not Bam Bam. When I came in 1988, that’s when I found out it was very big.”
It is true the original Bam Bam could be credited to Toots and the Maytals. And at the time she was recording, she was working with Yellowman who has created his version. Each artist had their own take and lyrics. But her voice was fresh as there were not many females in the genre.
While her song was sampled in various places, she was shocked to discover Bam Bam was in the film Belly, a 1998 American drama that starred NAS and DMX. And then she discovered the song was also in a Reebok commercial. That was really big. She didn’t receive any royalties. But she did learn that someone was cashing in. That fired her inside and she knew she had to take action. She did and she won.
Bam Bam continues to inspire many artists across many genres to this day. But it’s not just in music. Her determination and confidence in reclaiming what’s is rightfully hers serves as inspiration to women of all ages.
“My music has been used, abused, but never refused.” ~ Sister Nancy
During the after talk at her film’s premiere in Toronto, you get the sense that she’s taken every moment as a life lesson. Now, she is can live comfortably, continue to perform and she has the power to impart her knowledge and experience to others.
“I’m always saying, I’m so glad I didn’t get the break that I did when I was younger because I’m getting to 64 years old now, and it’s good that I get the break now. So, you know, I could retire or I could get fired and then I hire myself, you know? It’s better. It’s good now,” said Sister Nancy.
Her advice for young women interested in pursuing the music industry…
“You have to do clean music. Make sure you do the legal part of your music first. I had to come and fight for what is mine. I didn’t get anything for 32 years. I did win but sometimes people won’t. You make sure you take care of that and do clean music just like Bam Bam.”
And she’s very supportive of women in the industry. “I’m still here with them, not competing, but originating. We keep that lift afloat and we’ll never stop doing that because we are music.”
Alison Duke says tells us Sister Nancy’s story was actually brought to her by Canadian DJ Mossman and was inspired by her story.
“I was inspired because I’m older and an artist. Sometimes I question myself, should I keep going? and when should I stop?” said Duke. “For Sister Nancy, that is not a question. She’s just doing her thing and she will keep going until she no longer wants to do it. So, she teaches us that we have to be confident and know that we are doing our best. We should all walk through the world like that.”
And what surprised her about the artist?
“So many things surprised me about Sister Nancy. She’s a very giving person. She’s an amazing cook. She also has an audience that is very young. So, when she goes out to perform I thought it would be the roots and dancehall crowd watching her on tour. Really, it’s a bunch of young people, young women in the front row. We talk about that in this film about her style, her way of being inspires so many young people. They see a connection and they want that rawness back in society. People, you know, they think about celebrities and everybody, there’s so much hidden or they don’t want to show. But she doesn’t care if the camera is on or off. You’ll see that in the film. It’s so refreshing.”
“I’ve been inspired by many people through my lifetime, so it feels good that I can inspire others and I’m glad I could.” ~ Sister Nancy
BAM BAM: The Sister Nancy Story is about her resilience and a celebration of her legacy. The film was written and directed by Alison Duke. Produced by Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George – OYA Media Group. You can catch the film now in select Cineplex theatres. It will also be streaming on CRAVE.
Here’s the trailer…