Deron Delgado

Label Manager at Dirtybird Records and VP of Operations at EMPIRE Dance

Dirtybird Records Label Manager and VP of Operations at EMPIRE Dance, Deron Delgado has built a reputation as one of underground dance music’s most influential curators. 

Since 2015, Delgado has managed the label’s Dirtybird’s operations, and helped shape and execute the label’s vision across their releases, events, festivals, and more. He's overseen dozens of artists' careers, helping many grow from local openers to festival headliners.

In his time as Label Manager, Dirtybird has become known for releasing music in the early days of  some of today’s biggest house and techno stars, like FISHER and John Summit, even earning the title of Mixmag’s Label of the Decade in 2017. Under Delgado’s direction, the label has released hundreds of records from established and rising acts including Nikki Nair, Walker & Royce, Catz N Dogz, Shiba San, Nala, VNSSA, Lubelski, Ivy Lab, and more.

Now a part of EMPIRE Records since the label’s acquisition in 2022, Delgado has taken on an even larger leadership role. Delgado has helped spearhead the expansion of EMPIRE’s dance division with the addition of labels like Aluna’s Noir Fever, Walker & Royce’s Rules Don’t Apply, DJ E-Clyps’ Blacklight Factory, and new artist signings like The Martinez Brothers and Rochelle Jordan.

2025 sees Dirtybird commemorating 20 years with new releases, merch, and the return of multiple events around the country, including the return of Dirtybird Campout in partnership with Northern Nights Festival, and CampINN, featuring collaborations with Defected and Desert Hearts. Dirtybird also launched the inaugural Flight Week, a series of events culminating in their second Back 2 Baysics outdoor concert at Embarcadero Plaza with over 10k attendees. Flight Week invited more than a dozen Dirtybird artists to collaborate at EMPIRE Studios and featured activations with the San Francisco Giants, clothing brand San Franpsycho, and 10 local restaurants.

Prior to Dirtybird, Delgado worked as the Director of Label Relations at digital download music store Stompy.com and the Managing Director for the US-based sister company to Paradise Entertainment & Distribution. Through his nearly two decades of experience in digital music and media, Delgado has proven his expertise across label management, digital distribution, licensing, artist development, event production, publishing, and music marketing strategies.