IT has been two decades and a year and Renaissance Disco has once again proven that they are a force in the entertainment industry. Last Saturday the Palisadoes Go Kart Track played host to one of the most anticipated events of the summer — Renaissance’s 21st anniversary party, the Black Jack Edition.

Many thought the party would have been postponed after the morning tides had come over near the track. However, by evening most if not all the water had evaporated and the show could not be stopped.

The gates were open by 10:00 pm and by midnight the venue was already filled with devout Renaissance supporters. The selectors all showed their versatility on the wheels of steel. DJs Christuff, Smoke, Cruddy, Blaze, Taj, Delano, Jazzy T and Dr Dre all hit the turntables at some point, and had the party patrons, including members of the dancehall fraternity dancing wildly to pulsating hip-hop and R&B beats from the past and present.

Some female patrons received a special treat, as those who were dressed in ‘swaggerfic’ outfits were given the opportunity to pop champagne with members of the Renaissance crew.

The only disc jock outside of the Renaissance family who played was DJ Shine. He merely added to the great vibe within the venue. Starting off with old-school favourites like Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come and gradually making his way to 2010 dancehall and hip-hop favourites, Shine, playing at his first Renaissance event, was ecstatic about being the only other disc jock on the bill apart from the hosts. He said that it “was a great experience for him and a good event”.

This seemed true as patrons kept on asking for more and even at 6:00 am when it was time to go, some were still dancing.

A number of entertainers were present, including Bling Dawg, Stephen McGregor, Christopher Martin, Richie Loop, D Major and Elephant Man, who said that as long as he is on the island he will always be at a Renaissance anniversary party.

Renaissance is known as one of the most outstanding sound systems in Jamaica whose remixes have made appearances on Soul Train, BET, MTV and the Dick Clark Show. They have also toured with Bounty Killer and several other big dancehall acts.

Once again the Renaissance family has given their fans something else to look forward to as they eagerly await the 22nd.