The verdict
Documented Sampling History
A clear officially credited path exists (Ansel Collins, via Winston Riley’s Techniques label), and one of the most reused riddims in reggae history — the foundation of Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam,” already in this catalog. A real, substantive authorship challenge from session drummer Santa Davis is presented evenhandedly in Rights Status and Receipts, the same practical lens applied to “Funky Drummer.”
Sampled 300+ times
Used by independents?
Yes — used by Sister Nancy, on the independent Techniques label, in 1982 (“Bam Bam”), and across reggae.
Quick Facts
Released1973
GenreReggae, Dub
LabelTechniques
ProducerWinston Riley
Recorded atJamaica
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The officially credited songwriter — Ansel Collins (via Winston Riley’s Techniques label)
CounterPunch → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — likely Winston Riley’s estate / Techniques; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
CounterPunch → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — used in over 300 reggae and dancehall songs and sampled in hundreds more; the foundation of Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam” (already in this catalog). Among the most reused riddims in reggae history.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; a clear officially credited path exists (Ansel Collins, Techniques), though a real authorship challenge from a direct participant is documented — see Rights Status.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The 1982 Sister Nancy classic built over this riddim (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The officially credited pathAnsel Collins — widely credited alongside producer Winston Riley in virtually all published references
A real, unresolved authorship disputeSession drummer Santa Davis has directly and passionately disputed the official credit, stating he personally originated the core drum beat — having played it on an earlier song, “I Am Ethiopian” by Ras Michael, before the Stalag 17 session. Davis says this correction has been left out of virtually all published reggae histories, and separately credits one Copeland Forbes with a key creative direction never publicly acknowledged. Presented as a real, unresolved dispute from a direct participant — not a formally litigated matter, and not asserting which account is definitively correct.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A direct connection to Bam Bam, already in this catalog
Sister Nancy’s 1982 “Bam Bam” (already in this catalog) built its instrumental directly over this riddim. Sister Nancy’s own separate, eventually-resolved royalty dispute over that song is already documented on its existing page.
Wikipedia (Bam Bam) · read it →
Additional major uses
Also formed the foundation for Tenor Saw’s classic “Ring the Alarm” (1985), and was reportedly used as an introductory riddim to announce Bob Marley’s arrival on stage at concerts.
CounterPunch · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
300+
Times sampled
The riddim under Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam,” Tenor Saw’s “Ring the Alarm”
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itSister Nancy, Tenor Saw
Who to Contact
ST
Ansel Collins / Winston Riley (Techniques)
The officially credited path — with a documented, unresolved authorship challenge in Rights Status
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 4)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass