Renaissance goes Black Jack

Think of Jamaican pop culture and the influence of Renaissance Disco is inescapable. From the catchy remixes such as the Nitro Mix and the Dancehall Queen Remix to productions of the Icebreaker and Tunderclap rhythms to peaking at number five on the Billboard 100 charts with Sean Paul's We Be Burnin', Renaissance Disco has had its rythmic tentacles in many areas of dancehall culture.

The events put on by Renaissance have also been memorable - one such being the Renaissance Anniversary Party.

On Saturday, August 7 at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track, Renaissance and Red Stripe stage Black Jack, the 21st anniversary party of Renaissance Disco. Delano Thomas of Renaissance said: "Just like blackjack, Renaissance can be considered the highest hand in music and party production. Blackjack means 21 which signifies 21 years of the existence of the sound. We also see the blackjack theme as a viable way to have an all-black party, which is quite the opposite of our Christmas all-white party."

Key partnership

Thomas also said that Red Stripe's partnership with Renaissance has been key over the past 11 years as it has provided them the opportunity to stand out among other discos and create their own unwavering legacy in Jamaican music.

"The sponsorship and promotion has helped us to stand out," Thomas said. "They have an image as a top corporate sponsor of Jamaican music and we have an image as a top sound system in Jamaica, so when we merged it helped us to stand out from any other sound."

The Renaissance Anniversary Party is typically a celebration with Renaissance and friends. Many of the island's top recording artistes whose careers have benefited by working with Renaissance are expected to come rev up on Renaissance mix tapes and CDs.

The event is also renowned for its amazing feel-good vibe. Red Stripe Brand Manager Safia Cooper said such an event, which allows patrons to escape through the music, is one that fits perfectly with Red Stripe beer.

Original music

"Red Stripe noticed very early the role that Renaissance Disco would play in bringing people together through music," she said. "They are original, knowledgeable about the music and are great at what they do and Red Stripe is proud to have been a partner with them since 1999."

Since the start of summer, Renaissance has been part of Red Stripe's Escape Thru Music summer campaign which included the Kick-off Concert and Party, Absinthe and Reggae Sumfest. Thomas added that his team and Red Stripe were working to ensure the 21st anniversary party falls nothing short of what their fans and Red Stripe consumers are expecting.

"We are trendsetters. Most of what we have done in terms of production, venues and events weren't being done at the time," said Thomas. "Black Jack will be remembered as another special event."