St. Lucian Event Producer Jay Upscale Makes Soca History at the Iconic Barclays Center in NYC

On September 5th, 2022, Jermaine Magras (Jay Upscale), a St. Lucian, made global history at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, by producing the first ever Caribbean artist headlining a concert at the venue in its ten-year history. Machel Montano, the iconic “King of Soca” dazzled his tens of thousands of fans at a completely sold-out show in celebration of his 40th year in music.

Machel was accompanied by a star cast from across the U.S. and the Caribbean islands including Taurus Riley, Angela Hunte, Voice, Problem Child, Bunji, Fay Ann Lyons, Skinny Fabulous, Patrice Roberts, Nadia Batson, Lil Natty & Thunda, Motto, Kerwin Dubois, Lyrikal, Lil Rick & Super Blue with major guest surprises from Wyclef Jean, Walker, Ding Dong Ravers and more.

Jermaine, a current New York resident, graduated from the Anglican Primary Secondary School and the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School in St. Lucia. Jay tripled majored in Finance, Business Management, and Economics at Pace University in New York. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jay served as an analyst at the financial giant Goldman Sachs where he honed numerous skills in the business sector.

“I am humbled and grateful to be a part of creating history and thankful that Machel put his 40th anniversary celebration in my hands and entrusted me with his incredible brand. The event sold out. This was not only a win for soca, but for Caribbean culture overall. We represented soca music and the entire region on the world stage in a spectacular way.”

Under his event production company, Jay continues to produce some of the US’ largest urban events at premier venues like Governors Island, Brooklyn Mirage, Capitale, Terminal 5, and Coney Island Art Walls and Barclays Center.