Studio 38 celebrates success... to host Gyptian this Friday

Since Studio 38 opened in 2009, it has presented a staggering 50-plus concerts featuring the great Jamaican acts of our time. What has now become almost commonplace - the presentation of major Jamaican and international acts in intimate settings - was a Studio 38 innovation that started life not so long ago. Internationally acclaimed reggae superstar Gyptian steps on to the famous stage this Friday night for the first time, as the second anniversary celebrations continue.

Almost every genre of Jamaican music has been presented there. From the original reggae toaster U-Roy to the current star boy of the dancehall, Mavado, Studio 38 has rolled out the red carpet to acts and fans alike. Jamaica's perennial reggae favourite Beres Hammond has performed there and so has such international acts as Melba Moore and Freddie Jackson. From the old masters (John Holt and Ken Boothe) to the hot new stars (Assassin and Konshens), Studio 38 has run the gamut of great entertainment for a wide variety of enraptured fans. From the poetry of Tanya Stephens to the roots spirituality of Tarrus Riley, Studio 38 has demonstrated versatility in an eclectic environment.

Other stars to have taken the Studio 38 stage include Etana, Chalice, Beenie Man, Tessanne Chin, Freddie McGregor, Tifa, Tami Chynn, the great Gregory Isaacs (who performed his last concert at Studio 38), George Nooks, Singing Melody, Yellow Man, Professor Nuts, Admiral Bailey Pinchers, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington and Leroy Sibblies. Come Friday, it is Gyptian's turn, with such acts as Protoje, I-Octane, Jimmy Riley and others waiting in the wings.

Gyptian emerged on the scene in 2005 with the chart-topping single Serious Times. In 2006, he was nominated as Best New Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards. Last year, the 28-year-old also copped a Soul Train Award for Best Reggae Artiste.

Known for his smooth ballads Beautiful Lady, Mama Don't Cry, and Hold Yuh, which was remixed by international hip-hop artiste Nicki Minaj, Gyptian, who has four albums under his belt, has seen international success on the Billboard Charts where the single Hold Yuh stormed the Hot 100 chart as well as the Hip Hop and R&B chart. To see Gyptian live on Friday, tickets are available at Pulse, $1,000 presold or $1,500 at the door.