Sample Saturday: Sister Nancy “ Bam Bam”

Sample Saturday: Sister Nancy “ Bam Bam”

Sister Nancy’s 1982 song “Bam Bam” is one of the most sampled reggae tracks in history, featured in over 130 songs across genres. Its instrumental is based on the iconic “Stalag 17” riddim, while the chorus draws from the 1966 song by The Maytals and Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

Notable artists who have sampled or referenced “Bam Bam” include Lauryn Hill in “Lost Ones,” Kanye West and Rihanna in “Famous,” Jay-Z in “Bam,” Beyoncé in live performances of “Hold Up,” and Lizzo in “Truth Hurts.” Despite its popularity, Sister Nancy did not receive royalties for the song for 32 years until she secured compensation and partial ownership in 2014.

The track’s influence is recognized worldwide, and in 2021, it was ranked among Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Its extensive sampling underscores its enduring impact on music culture across generations.