Michelle
Ophlin Russell-Myers (Sister Nancy, aka Muma Nancy) born 2 January 1962, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies is a female dancehall DJ and singer. Nancy is one of 15 siblings.Her brother, Robert, a/k/a Brigadier Jerry. She is also known to the world at large, as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a “dominating female voice for over two decades” in the reggae/dancehall industry.
Sister Nancy a/k/a Muma Nancy most famous song is “Bam Bam”, labeled as a “well-known reggae anthem” by British Broadcasting Company and a “classic” by The Observer.
In her mid-teens, Nancy would occasionally perform on the Jahlove Music sound system that her brother Briggy worked with. 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. 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 “Jungo” Lawes, recording “A No Any Man Can Test Sister Nancy”, “Bang Belly”, and a collaboration with Yellowman, “Jah Mek Us Fe A Purpose”. 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.
Muma Nancy has paved the way for Lady Saw, Sister Carol, Junie Ranks, Sista Charmaine, Mack Diamond, Lady G, Shelly Thunder, Carla Marshall, Lorna G, Lady English, and Lady P.
In 2007, Russell-Myers 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 instrument versions of the aforementioned songs.
Muma Nancy tours Europe every year and performs throughout the US, her most recent show in which she headlined was “Female Giants of the 80’s” that was held on December 30, 2009 at Caribbean City, Empire Blvd., Brooklyn, NY along side Junie Ranks, Lady Ann, Sista Charmaine and Lady G.
Russell-Myers is married to her long time sweetheart of over twenty years. They reside with the rest of her family in New Jersey, where she works as an accountant at a bank.
MUMA NANCY’S MUSIC:
1982
• One Two
• The Yellow, The Purple & The Nancy (Yellowman & Fathead & Purpleman & Sister Nancy)
APPEARS ON
• 300% Dynamite
• Bam Bam
• 600% Dynamite
• Transport Connection
• A Dee-Jay Explosion
• One Two
• Dancehall
• Only Woman Dj With Degree
• Dread Broadcasting Corp.
• Bam Bam
• Playtime Reggae
• Bam Belly
• Sonic Presents The Best Of The DJ’s Bout Ya !
• Wicked Like Me
• The Volcano Eruption
• Dance Pon De Corner
• The Yellow, The Purple & The Nancy
• No Any Man Can Test Sister Nancy
• Dance Pon The Corner
• Bang Belly
• Total Recall – Volcano Vol 2
• Dance Pon The Corner
AS A MUSICIAN VOCALS
• Yellowman & Fathead & Purpleman & Sister Nancy – The Yellow, The Purple & The Nancy [1982]
Muma Nancy happy birthday and thanks for your contribution to the reggae/dancehall music industry.
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