A new documentary, Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story, is shining a long-overdue spotlight on the legendary Jamaican dancehall pioneer, Sister Nancy. Premiering this Thursday in Toronto after an exclusive screening at TIFF Lightbox, the film explores the life and career of Ophlin Russell, famously known as Sister Nancy or Muma Nancy.
Produced by Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George of OYA Media Group, the documentary celebrates female empowerment and reveals the untold story behind Bam Bam, one of the most-sampled reggae tracks in history. Duke, inspired by her childhood memories of hearing Sister Nancy’s music at basement parties in Scarborough, was commissioned by Canadian DJ Moss Raxlen to bring the project to life.
The film combines electrifying tour footage, rare archival clips, and interviews with industry heavyweights like Janelle Monáe, Young Guru, Pete Rock, and DJ Kool Herc. It delves into Sister Nancy’s legal battle over royalties, which led to a 2014 settlement granting her 50% ownership of the song’s rights—allowing her to finally leave her banking career and live off her music.
Following its Tribeca Festival premiere in June 2024, the documentary is now on a global tour, with upcoming stops at the Pan African Film Festival, the San Diego Black Film Festival, and screenings in Washington and Italy. Discussions are also underway to bring it to streaming platforms in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
For reggae and hip-hop fans, Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story is more than a documentary—it’s a tribute to resilience, legacy, and a woman who changed the music industry forever.
Source: blackenterprise.com
Photo Cred: thefader.com
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