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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Sister Nancy
| image = 
| caption = 
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Ophlin Russell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|1|2}}<br/>[[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica 
| alias = Muma Nancy
| genre = [[Dancehall]]
}}
'''Sister Nancy''', aka '''Muma Nancy''', real name '''Ophlin Russell''', (born on 2 January 1962) is a Jamaican [[dancehall]] [[Deejay (Jamaican)|DJ]] and singer. She is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a "dominating female voice for over two decades" on the [[dancehall]] scene.<ref name="WP">{{cite web| last = Anderson| first = Rhome| title = Sister Nancy| work = [[The Washington Post]]| url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/cityguide/profile?id=1126126&p=print| accessdate = 2008-07-15| date=2006-07-18}}</ref>

One of her most famous songs is "[[Bam Bam (song)|Bam Bam]]", labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by [[BBC]] and a "classic" by ''[[The Observer]]''.<ref name="Obs">{{cite web| last = Warren| first = Emma| title = Bobby Kray, Tales From a Skinny White Boy  | publisher = [[The Observer]]|url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,2145410,00.html| accessdate = 2008-07-15| date=2007-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Small| first = Elle J| title = Bobby Kray - Tales From A Skinny White Boy | publisher = [[BBC]]| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/6bvr/| accessdate = 2008-07-15| date=2007-08-31}}</ref>

==Career==
Born in [[Kingston, Jamaica]], Russell was one of 15 siblings.<ref name="Larkin">Larkin, Colin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}}</ref> Her elder brother, Robert, is better known as [[Brigadier Jerry]], and by her mid-teens, she would occasionally perform on the Twelve Tribes of Israel soundsystem ''Jahlovemuzik'' [[Sound system (Jamaican)|sound system]] that she worked with,<ref name="Larkin" /> and worked for three years on the Stereophonic sound system with [[General Echo]].<ref name="Lesser">Lesser, Beth (2008) ''Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture'', Soul Jazz, {{ISBN|978-0-9554817-1-0}}, p. 62</ref> Sister Nancy was born in a conservative household in Kingston. She was expected to perform conservative duties such as being an elder of the community and promote socially conservative values such as staying in the household, be drug-free, and family oriented.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=William|title=Soul Rebels: The Rastafari|url=https://archive.org/details/soulrebelsrastaf0000lewi|url-access=registration|date=1 June 1993|publisher=Waveland Print|isbn=0881337390|pages=[https://archive.org/details/soulrebelsrastaf0000lewi/page/49 49–51]}}</ref> Early on, she rebelled against her traditional values and followed her brother Brigadier Jerry in DJing.<ref name="Red Bull Music Academy">{{cite web|last1=Nancy|first1=Sister|title=Red Bull Music Academy|url=http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2017/03/sister-nancy-interview|website=daily.redbullmusicacademy.com|publisher=Red Bull|accessdate=7 June 2017}}</ref> She was repeatedly dissuaded from DJing and encouraged to pursue Christian music by her father.<ref name="Red Bull Music Academy"/> When she was a teenager, she got into Dancehall. She was the only girl to show up to dance. The family norms did not appeal to her and she ran away from home for months at a time. Nancy followed DJ Junior Chalice around Jamaica and in St. Thomas was given a chance by him to DJ. She is quoted from an interview as saying, "Me never nervous again after that. That was 15. When I was 16 I say, 'Alright, I go step up me thing.'"<ref name="Internet">{{cite web|last1=Nancy|first1=Sister|title=Red Bull Music Academy|url=http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2017/03/sister-nancy-interview|website=daily.redbullmusicacademy.com|accessdate=2017-06-17}}</ref> In 1980, producer [[Winston Riley]] was the first to take her into the studio, resulting in her first single, "Papa Dean" for his Techniques label.<ref name="Larkin" /><ref name="Lesser" /> Russell-Myers went on to perform at ''[[Reggae Sunsplash]]'', making her the first female deejay ever to perform there, and she is also the first female Jamaican deejay to tour internationally. She had further success with singles such as "One Two", "Money Can't Buy Me Love", "Transport Connection" and "Bam Bam". Her debut album, ''One Two'' was released in 1982. She went on to work with producer [[Henry "Junjo" Lawes]], recording "A No Any Man Can Test Sister Nancy", "Bang Belly", and a collaboration with [[Yellowman]], "Jah Mek Us Fe A Purpose".<ref name="Larkin" /> She continued to appear live, sometimes on ''Jahlove Music'' with her brother. The sound system toured internationally, with both Sister Nancy and Brigadier Jerry making their debut UK performances at the [[Brixton]] Town Hall, [[London]] in 1982.<ref name="Larkin" />

Despite his first album being released after hers, Sister Nancy claims her brother as her main inspiration and supporter. His stage presence and voice projection have clearly influenced Sister Nancy's work and career. Aspects of his rolling vocal pattern, sing jay style, expressive performances, and culturally conscious lyrics are found in much of Sister Nancy's music. Much like her brother, she also focuses on cultural issues and has a spiritual tone as well in many of her tracks. Unlike his sister however, Brigadier Jerry was never really able to capture his exceptional live performances on a recorded track that was on par. Today he still puts out the occasional single and tours somewhat regularly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/brigadier-jerry-mn0000520068}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snwmf.com/zerothree/bios/brigadier.html}}</ref>

In 1996, she relocated to [[New Jersey]].<ref name="Lesser" /> In an interview with ''The Jamaica Observer'' in 2002, Russell said that although she was working in the banking sector, that "music is [her] first love" and said she still performs "every now and then". She explained that her absence from the recording scene was due to her wanting to "give other female artists a chance", though she said she was still "as ready as the first day [she] came into the business".<ref>{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Kevin |title=Sister Nancy says "music is still my first love" |publisher=The Jamaica Observer |url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/throb/html/20020719t180000-0500_29111_obs_sister_nancy_says__music_is_still_my_first_love_.asp |access-date=2008-07-15 |date=2002-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905022338/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/throb/html/20020719t180000-0500_29111_obs_sister_nancy_says__music_is_still_my_first_love_.asp |archive-date=5 September 2008 }}</ref> ''[[The Observer]]'' cited Russell a role model for a successive generation of female acts, including Lady Saw, Sister Carol, Macka Diamond, Lady G, Shelly Thunder, Carla Marshall, Lorna G, Lady English, and Lady P.<ref name="Obs"/>

In 2007, Russell released the second of her two albums, ''Sister Nancy Meets Fireproof'', produced by djMush1, formerly of the Slackers (NYC Ska) on Special Potato Records.  The album was distributed by Jammyland Records in New York, NY.  The album features four original compositions, as well as four instrumental versions of the aforementioned songs.

In 2011, Sister Nancy did an interview where she stated that it's harder now for women to make it in the field of music. When asked why, she said it's because "Maybe because there weren’t so many female artists out and men respected the women."<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Nancy on women in dancehall: 'Nuff disrespect|url=http://www.creativeloafing.com/music/article/13058351/sister-nancy-on-women-in-dancehall-nuff-disrespect|website=Creative Loafing Atlanta|language=en}}</ref> This seems to agree with Cooper that dancehall music liberated women from "repressive respectability and conservative gender ideologies."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Christensen|first1=Jeanne|title=Rastafari reasoning and the RastaWoman : gender constructions in the shaping of Rastafari livity|date=2014|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0739175736|pages=147}}</ref> Rastawomen singers are free to act and say as they please on stage.

Upon its original release, "Bam Bam" never really caught on in Jamaica but has been a fixture in other genres of music ever since. While the song was originally recorded in 1966 by [[Toots and the Maytals]], it is Sister Nancy's version that is so often sampled in various genres. Beginning in 1991 with Main Source "Bam Bam" has been sampled in 73 songs - most recently Kanye West's 2016 hit "Famous".  Nancy's version uses Ansel Collin's legendary 1977 instrumental "Stalag 17", a well known riddim, alternatively known as a backing track used repeatedly.<ref>https://genius.com/a/the-30-year-journey-of-sister-nancy-jamaicas-first-female-dancehall-star</ref>

In 2016 Sister Nancy retired from being a bank accountant in New Jersey so she could pursue music and performing. She recently played at [[Rebel Salute]] 2017 in Jamaica in January as well as played at [[Brooklyn Bowl]] in New York on 25 May 2017. In her interview with [[HOT 97]] she stated that she plans to do more shows in the coming future.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oasTQSHUQA&t=67s</ref>

===Collaborations and Samples===
Sister Nancy collaborated with [[Thievery Corporation]] on the song "Originality" for the 2006 compilation album ''Versions''. She also collaborated with [[DJ /rupture]] and [[Kid 606]] on the "[https://www.discogs.com/composition/a889951e-f125-417f-a3cd-308f6a8d1b4b-Little-More-Oil-Taking-Over-Venezuela-To-Fuel-Our-SUVs-Mix Little More Oil]" single in 2006.<ref name="sj2">[http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk/releases/?id=4133 Kid606, DJ Rupture & Sister Nancy - Little More Oil], Soul Jazz Records</ref>

Sister Nancy's classic "Bam Bam" has been re-recorded and sampled over 80 times<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/03/14/sister-nancy-responds-jay-z-kanye-west|title=Sister Nancy responds to being sampled by JAY-Z and Kanye West|website=The FADER|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> since its release in 1982 including:

* "Bam" featuring [[Damian Marley]] on the [[Jay-Z]] album [[4:44]] (2017).
* "[[Famous (Kanye West song)|Famous]]" by [[Kanye West]] on the album "[[The Life of Pablo]]" (2016).<ref>.com, Genius (2014) "https://genius.com/8663037", ''[[Genius (website)|Genius]]'', 2 Febuarry 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016</ref>
* Canadian producer [[RCola]] brought Sister Nancy into [[Liondub]]'s studio to re-sing her classic "Bam Bam", released in 2007 as a Drum and Bass dancefloor remix "[https://www.discogs.com/Sister-Nancy-A-What-A-Bam-Bam-Remixes/release/939400 A What A Bam Bam (Remixes)]" on 12" vinyl with [[Division One]] remix on the AA side.
* In 2007, Sister Nancy voiced a dubplate of her "Bam Bam" with new lyrics for [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] [[ragga]]/[[drum and bass]] dj Tester.
* Canadian/American producer [[Krinjah]] published a 12" vinyl single "[https://www.discogs.com/composition/2604eb97-5a29-480f-b3b5-30abe4798c2d-Bam-Bam-Remix Bam Bam (Remix)]" in 2001, which helped start off the ragga-jungle revival in North America.

==Personal life==
She worked as an accountant at a bank in New Jersey and is now currently retired from the profession.<ref>"[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Nancy-s-b-day-fest-for-Queens_15712559 Nancy's b'day fest for Queens]", ''[[Jamaica Observer]]'', 2 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014</ref>

==Discography==

===Albums===
*''[[One, Two]]'' (1982) Techniques
*''[[The Yellow, The Purple & The Nancy]]'' (1982) [[Greensleeves Records|Greensleeves]] (with [[Yellowman]], [[Fathead (musician)|Fathead]], and [[Purpleman]])
*''Sister Nancy Meets Fireproof'' (2001) Special Potato Records (with djMush1 aka [[Jeremy Mushlin]])

===Singles===
*"One Two" Techniques
*"[[Bam Bam (song)|Bam Bam]]" Techniques
*"Transport Connection" Techniques
*"Proud a We" (1982) Techniques
*"King and Queen" (1982) AMCO (Yellowman & Sister Nancy)
*"No Dun And Put Dun" Digital B
*"Deh Yah Long Time" Digital B
*"Little More Oil" (2004) Soul Jazz (with DJ /rupture and Kid 606)
*"Papa Dean" Techniques
*"Solid Has a Rock" Techniques
*"Dance Pon Your Corner" Volcano
*"Originality" (2006) Thievery Corporation
*"Love Jah" King Jammy's
*"Fool Say in His Heart" Easy Star Records
*"Ting Mi Dis a Come" African Stars
*"Muma is Coming" Shocking Vibes
*"Ram Dance Daughta" Shocking Vibes
*"Chalice" Volcano
*"Roof Over Mi Head"
*"Ain't no Stopping Nancy" One Two

===Compilation appearances===
*''A Dee-Jay Explosion (Inna Dance Hall Style)'' [[Heartbeat Records|Heartbeat]] - live album recorded in 1982 includes "One Two" (Sister Nancy & Lee Van Cliff)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080624081629/http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/506 Sister Nancy at Roots Archives]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120311212742/http://www.reggaeid.co.uk/artists.php?view=songs&artist=Sister%20Nancy Sister Nancy at ReggaeID]
*{{IMDB name|12210826}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sister Nancy}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica]]
[[Category:Jamaican emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century Jamaican singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Jamaican singers]]
[[Category:Singers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Jamaican dancehall musicians]]
[[Category:Jamaican female singers]]
[[Category:Jamaican reggae singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]