Delano on How Renaissance Sound’s Remixes Pushed Them Onto BET, and MTV

The veteran selector reflects on the remixes that propelled Renaissance onto BET, MTV and Soul Train “which was a big deal,” the crowd-reading skills that have kept the sound relevant across generations, and what patrons can expect at Encore

Veteran selector DJ Delano

Over the years, Renaissance Sound has built its name among Jamaica’s leading sound systems, establishing a strong presence both at home and internationally through its signature blend of musical versatility, creativity and crowd connection.

On Sunday, August 30, the legendary sound will bring that experience to ENCORE LIVE: Culture Rising at Plantation Cove, where patrons can expect a journey through different eras and genres as Renaissance continues to prove why it has remained relevant across generations.

For DJ Delano, founder and CEO of Renaissance Sound, that longevity has come down to a combination of consistency, innovation, professionalism and, perhaps most importantly, understanding people.

“This allowed me to be the first selector/sound system to be on BET, MTV and Soul Train, just to name a few, which was a big deal back then.”

From its early days in the 1990s, when acquiring dubplates was an expensive undertaking, Renaissance found creative ways to separate itself from the competition, leaning heavily into exclusive remixes and original productions. That approach eventually became one of the sound’s trademarks and helped propel the brand onto major international platforms.

Among those early standout creations was the Bounty Killer “Nitro Mix,” a medley that helped bring Renaissance significant attention with memorable lines such as Fully Loaded, further establishing the sound’s reputation for putting its own creative spin on dancehall records. “This allowed me to be the first selector/sound system to be on BET, MTV and Soul Train, just to name a few, which was a big deal back then,” he shared.

That innovative approach also extended into music production and remixes, with Renaissance connected to records including Beenie Man’s “Dancehall Queen” remix, as well as productions such as Sean Paul’s “We Be Burnin” and Capleton’s “Or Wah.”

Despite maintaining a demanding booking schedule, Delano, whose given name is Delano Thomas, says protecting the quality and reputation of the brand remains more important than simply accepting every opportunity.

“I think the key is balance. With a demanding booking schedule, you have to understand that you can’t say yes to everything. We’ve learned to manage the pace, protect the quality of our performances, and make sure the team is prepared to deliver the Renaissance experience every time,” he explained. “Professionalism, communication and time management are just as important as the music itself.”

That same balance carries over into Renaissance’s selections. With decades of music to pull from, the experienced selectors understand the importance of connecting classic dancehall and reggae with the sounds and artistes driving the current generation.

“At the end of the day, we don’t play for one generation - we play for the crowd in front of us. If you can make somebody who grew up on 1980s or ’90s dancehall enjoy a new artiste, while making a young person discover and appreciate an older classic, then you’ve done your job as a selector.”

Rather than approaching each event with a predetermined playlist, Renaissance relies heavily on reading the room and allowing the audience to help shape the direction of the set.

“Crowd reading is probably one of the most important skills a selector can have. You can’t walk into every event with the same playlist and expect the same response,” Delano said. “We watch the audience, listen to their reaction, see what is making them move, and then adjust. Renaissance has always been about being versatile and understanding different audiences and cultures.”

“Crowd reading is probably one of the most important skills a selector can have. You can’t walk into every event with the same playlist and expect the same response. Renaissance has always been about being versatile and understanding different audiences and cultures.”

That philosophy will be on full display at Encore. “For Encore, the audience can expect the Renaissance experience - energy, musical versatility, juggling, signature remixes, dubplates and a mixture of the music that built Renaissance along with what is happening today,” he said.

“Renaissance is known for combining old and new dancehall and reggae with hip-hop and other influences, while constantly pushing the boundaries of how the music is presented.”