“Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story” will be among the 9 Spotlight documentaries having their world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival taking place in New York from June 5-16.
The film, which has been in production since 2020, explores the legacy of dancehall deejay Ophlin Russell, popularly known as Sister Nancy of “Bam Bam” fame. The song took on a new life in the hip-hop world through numerous samples, notably in Kanye West’s “Famous.” With over 180 vocal samples, the track, originally released in 1982, itself samples Toots And The Maytals’ song of the same name and was added to Nancy’s debut album “One, Two.” The 2017 Jay-Z song “Bam” featuring Damian Marley features Nancy’s vocals and it has bene certified Gold in the US for selling 500,000 units in streams and sales.
Directed by Alison Duke and produced by Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, the film delves into Nancy’s journey in the music industry as she fought for 34 years to reclaim rights to a song that became bigger than she was as an artist.
The Oya Media Group Inc. documentary reveals Nancy’s discovery of the betrayal by legendary Jamaican music producer/distributor Winston Riley, who produced the song before his death under suspicious circumstances in Jamaica. Following legal action, she successfully sued his estate, securing payment for ten years of past royalties and a 50% share of all future royalties.
As soon as Nancy secured her rights, she made a bold decision to leave her job as a banking accountant and embark on a tour, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career.
“I was a the studio with Yellow Man and he did a “Bam Bam” and I called Mr. Riley and said I have an idea to finish the album and I say I am going to do a Bam Bam like Yellow Man did and freestyle (no pen no paper). I didn’t even remember some of the things I say,” Nancy recalled on the making of the song to Vibe Magazine six years ago.
Nancy pinpointed a pivotal moment after the release of the 1998 movie “Belly” which featured “Bam Bam,” saying it was that twist of fate that propelled her into the American spotlight. “Nobody called me for ‘Belly,'” she disclosed, recounting how she stumbled upon the movie while casually watching HBO at home. Little did she know that this serendipitous encounter would alter the course of her career.
“They contacted Winston Riley, and I spoke to him,” she revealed. Riley assured her that everything was in order, but she found out that he had the tune under the name of “Nancy White.”
“I say who the hell is Nancy White,” she enquired to Riley, at which point he told her to meet up for payment. “He told me to meet him at Moodies Records on White Plains Road, and he didn’t come, and I got nothing for him,” Sister Nancy lamented, reflecting on the letdown.
“It was when the Reebok ad came out that I decided to take them to court,” she asserted.
The documentary features behind-the-scenes footage of Nancy’s tour and daily life, with live performances, archival footage, photography, and interviews with a slew of A-list pop and reggae celebrities including Sister Nancy herself, Janelle Monáe, DJ Kool Herc, Pete Rock, DJ Red Alert, Large Professor, K-Cut, Sir Scratch (Main Source), Sister Carol, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Renée Neufville (former member of Zhane), Soul Syndicate, Angela Yee, Young Guru, Mad Professor, Michie Mee, DJ Gravy DJ Matty Legal Shot And more.
Ethereal recreations highlight specific personal events in Nancy’s life, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into her journey. The 2024 Tribeca Film Festival has 103 feature films from 114 filmmakers spanning 48 countries according to Variety. Including 86 world premieres, two international premieres, six North American premieres and eight New York premieres.
Over 13,000 films were submitted and half of the films in this year’s competition are directed by women. There are 30 films directed by first-time filmmakers and 25 directors are making their return to the annual New York film festival.
Other spotlight features having their world premieres at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival include “BRATS,” a reflection on the impact of the Brat Pack label on actors like Rob Lowe and Demi Moore; “Desire: The Carl Craig Story,” profiling techno producer Carl Craig and his career in Detroit; “Following Harry,” exploring the life and legacy of cultural icon Harry Belafonte; “Group Therapy,” navigating personal conversations on mental health with comedians; “Linda Perry: Let It Die Here,” revealing the life of songwriter and producer Linda Perry; “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution,” examining the cultural influence of queer stand-up comedy; “Rebel Country,” tracing the history and future of country music with performances; and “Satisfied,” offering an intimate look at actress Renée Elise Goldsberry amidst her career and family struggles.
