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REGGAE ICON TAKES CENTER-STAGE IN NEW DOC, ‘BAM BAM: THE SISTER NANCY STORY’
THE TRAILBLAZERS FIGHT FOR OWNERSHIP OVER REGGAE’S MOST SAMPLED SONG IN HISTORY COMES TO SELECT THEATRES JANUARY 31& STREAMS ON CRAVE FEBRUARY 17.
January 15, 2025 (Toronto, ON) – Considered the anthem of the reggae genre, ‘Bam Bam’ is one of reggae’s most sampled vocals in history. But the woman behind the voice of reggae’s most well-known song, Sister Nancy, remains a relative unknown to those outside of the genre. Deceived for decades and denied the royalties that were rightfully hers, Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story follows the musician as she travels to Jamaica, London, Toronto, New York and Atlanta, between sold-out shows, to reclaim the rights to what is rightfully hers. With support from Janelle Monae, Young Guru, Pete Rock and more, Sister Nancy confronts the music industry in a fight for equality of women and women of colour and their artistry. Following a whirlwind international festival campaign and a World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story hits select theatres across Canada on January 31, 2025, and begins streaming on Crave on February 17, 2025.
“Joining Sister Nancy in a fight to be recognized has been a career highlight,” says award-winning director and founder of OYA Media Group, Alison Duke. “The support we’ve received from audiences and music-lovers has inspired us to continue to bring Sister Nancy’s story to film-goers in Canada and abroad. Sister Nancy paved the way for women in reggae and music–and should be recognized for that.”
“It means the world to me to share my story,” says reggae icon and star of the documentary, Sister Nancy. “Not every artist gets the opportunity to do that, and I’m so glad it happened. I‘m deeply thankful to OYA Media Group for choosing me to make a documentary. My story really needed to be told and watched!”
For far too long have women of colour been overlooked and taken advantage of in the music industry. Award-winning filmmaker Alison Duke (Black Community Mixtapes, A Mother Apart, Paid in Full) takes on the monumental task of bringing Sister Nancy’s story to light. Through archival footage, insightful interviews and diving deeply into the early dancehall scene, Duke tracks the making of a genre-defining hit and the fight for the empowerment of its maker. Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story captures the creation of music that transcends boundaries and genres, reaching audiences worldwide and capturing popular culture repeatedly since its release in the 1980s. The Sister Nancy Story is both empowering and entertaining, proving that great music and talent can overcome any obstacle – in music and life. Director Alison Duke captured all of Sister Nancy’s scenes in #onetake, much like Sister Nancy’s recording of 'Bam Bam'.
Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story was produced by award-winning filmmakers Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George of OYA Media Group.
Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story comes to select theatres across Canada on January 31, 2025.
The film will be available for streaming on Crave beginning February 17, 2025.
The film will have a special screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto on January 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
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