Bam (song)
| "Bam" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Jay-Z featuring Damian Marley | ||||
| from the album 4:44 | ||||
| Released | September 26, 2017 | |||
| Studio | No I.D.'s studio, Hollywood | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, reggae fusion | |||
| Length | 3:55 | |||
| Label | Roc Nation | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | No I.D. | |||
| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Damian Marley singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Bam" ft. Damien Marley on YouTube | ||||
"Bam" is a song by American hip hop artist Jay-Z from his thirteenth studio album, 4:44 (2017). The song samples Sister Nancy's "Bam Bam". It charted in the United States and United Kingdom in 2017.
Background
[edit]The song includes a sample of "Bam Bam" by Jamaican musician Sister Nancy. In response to Jay-Z sampling her work, Sister Nancy said: "It's a blessing."[1]
The song's hook, sung by Damian Marley, is an interpolation of the 1976 song "Tenement Yard'' by Jacob Miller and Inner Circle, with Marley singing Gangsta cant live inna tenement yard in place of the original Dreadlocks cant live inna tenement yard. [2]
The song also samples "Prerogative" (1991) by Nicodemus, Super Cat, and Junior Demus.[3]
Jay-Z described a partial meaning of the song as an internal dialogue between his private and public personae: ". . . it’s secretly Shawn Carter saying, ‘Man, you need a bit of ego.’ It was because of me and the things that I’ve done, this is JAY-Z saying you needed a bit of ego for us to arrive at this point."[4]
Conception
[edit]The producer of 4:44 No I.D. stated that he felt that "Bam" was "the most difficult" song on the album to assemble, and credits Jay-Z's wife Beyoncé with spurring the completion of the track: . . . she was like, 'Man, just give me that beat. You messing around.' And I saw the smoke coming out Jay’s nostrils, and the next morning he had the raps.[5]
Video
[edit]In June 2017 Marley and Jay-Z filmed video for the song on location in West Kingston, Jamaica, featuring visits to Trenchtown, Hellshire Beach, and Marley's Tuff Gong Studios.[6] [7] The final video includes also includes footage of Sister Nancy discussing her art and creative process.[8]
Reception
[edit]"Bam" certified Gold in the United States on December 4, 2023.[9]
Vibe (magazine), presented a critical review of the song, noting that although "the song itself is one of the most boisterous offerings [on the album], 'Bam' falls short when compared to the more refined compositions by No I.D. that made the final cut."[10]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 93 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[12] | 33 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 47 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] | 21 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | September 26, 2017 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Roc Nation | [16] |
| Urban contemporary radio | [17] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Sister Nancy responds to being sampled by JAY-Z and Kanye West". The FADER. March 14, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ Campbell, Howard (June 3, 2017). "Jay-Z, Junior Gong collab". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Enig Mue. "Bam > Jay-Z". WhoSampled. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Yohance, Kyles (June 30, 2017). "JAY-Z Explains The Meaning For Every Song On His '4:44' Album". AllHiphop. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ "No I.D. Breaks Down JAY-Z's 4:44". Tidal. June 30, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (June 13, 2017). "Damian Marley Talks New Album 'Stony Hill,' Fatherhood & Possibly Teaming Up With Nas for Another Project". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ ""Bam" by Jay-Z Featuring Damian Marley (with Sister Nancy sample) certified Gold in the US". World Music Views. April 12, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Jordan, Darville (July 14, 2017). "Watch JAY-Z's Video For "BAM"". Fader. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Mallick, Dani (December 5, 2023). "Jay-Z's Reggae-Sampling Hits 'Lucifer,' 'Encore,' And 'Bam' Certified Gold In U.S." DancehallMag. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Preezy (July 3, 2017). "Tracklist Ranking: The Best Beats On JAY-Z's '4:44'". Vibe. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Jay-Z – Bam". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess.com. R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". AllAccess.com. R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
