Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Renaissance started as a small house-party disco, but in its 20 years it has evolved into one of the world's top sound systems and a company that oversees the affairs of its music commitments.

Its achievements will be celebrated on Saturday, August 15, at the 20th anniversary party at the Palisadoes Go-kart Track. The party, while not straying from Renaissance's credo of great mixes and less talking, will show excerpts of a documentary that is being produced to commemorate its 20th birthday.

One of the founding members, Delano Thomas, said Renaissance Disco was started by himself and a former member, Devon Chin, in 1989. Other Renaissance pioneers included Mix Master Marvin, Ian, Michael Edwards, Ronald McLean and DJ Marlon (deceased).

While in high school, Thomas played on two sound systems, before joining LeJeaux Disco, then later forming Renaissance Disco.

"It was the (right) time. The owner (of LeJeaux Disco) was migrating. I just wanted to start something for myself," Thomas recalled.

Birthday parties

But, before fully launching the sound system a name was needed.

"We met with a lot of girls and told them that if they came up with the name we would play at their sweet 16 birthday parties. So that's why we knew girls from so many schools," Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner.

The winning school was Immaculate Conception High and as a result Renaissance played at about 20 parties.

That played a major part in establishing Renaissance as an 'uptown' sound system. They soon began frequenting parties in well-off neighbourhoods such as Norbrook and Cherry Gardens.

Thomas pointed out that Renaissance Disco was not labelled as an 'uptown' sound until it entered the hardcore dancehall market.

"It was only a stigma when we were starting to go downtown. The party scene was more segregated then," Thomas said, while noting that one of the first places that Renaissance Disco went to was the very popular House of Leo.

Thomas said most uptown sound systems that went downtown were not able to get back in the uptown circle.

Yet, "we bridge the gap between uptown and downtown. We had a good relationship with some of the downtown sounds. We used to do remixes for them so we used to do cameos at Stone Love events," he said.

Renaissance Disco's first major debut was at a venue on Waterloo Road, where a party was being put on by the original RAS Promotions. Both Renaissance and Stone Love played at that party.

"That's where I debuted all my remixes. Everybody was shocked. It was the first time an uptown/downtown party was being held. It was very exciting to me 'cause the vibe was just different and all about people dancing and getting hype," Thomas said.

"We were known for breaking hip hop into dancehall and that's how we started getting accepted."

While other sound systems had dubplates with many popular artistes, Thomas said Renaissance could not afford to do this. Thus, they opted for the remixes.

Personal deejay

However, as they got more popular, they received more dubplates from artistes and more shows to play.

This also made it possible for Renaissance to do the remix of Beenie Man's Dancehall Queen and Bounty Killer's Nitro.

Eventually, Thomas got signed to Delicious Vinyl. Through the label, he played for Stephen Stanley and House of Blues. Later, he did some work for Def Jam Records.

For many years, he was the personal deejay for Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Born Jamericans, while they were on tour.

Despite its lead deejay touring, Renaissance kept in touch with the public as it simultaneously played at numerous events in Jamaica and the rest of the world. The sound system has played in countries like Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and throughout the Caribbean.

New faces

Renaissance Disco now has many new faces, as only Thomas, with his unmistakable eyepatch, Michael Edwards and Mix Master Marvin, who freelances with the sound system, are the only founding members still in the group. Newer members include DJ Pepsi, DJ Foodie, DJ Christuff, Jazzy T, DJ Smoke, DJ Blaze and Dr Dre.

Thomas said Renaissance Disco has achieved a lot, some of which he didn't expect.

"I didn't know I would be that big in it. Most of the things we have done, we did it first. You have to be innovative to step away from the rest," Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner.

He added that apart from doing something he loves, the business side has also been good.

Renaissance Disco has an office in Mona and a truck to transport its equipment, maintenance crew and studio. The staff consists of about 30 persons, including contract workers and the selectors.

"It can be lucrative. It is good to have a sound system instead of just the CD pouches. It is more value to me and my clients. I can outbid anybody and give them a package. But it is a struggle like any other business," Thomas said.

Thomas said despite all its successes, the sound system hasn't lost touch with its roots. It still frequents smaller events, such as corporate parties, birthday parties and weddings, so in slow seasons they still have work. And, on any given day, it has enough equipment for two big events or four to six small events.