‘Amazing year’ for Chris Gayle
Universe Boss ready for 40 Shades on Saturday
Published:Thursday | September 19, 2024 | 12:09 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
The year 2024 has been “an amazing one” on the cricket field and in the field of entertainment for explosive West Indies batsman and Universe Boss Chris Gayle. And he’s now ready to put some more icing on the cake when he hosts his birthday bash, 40 Shades of Gayle 5.0 on Saturday in St Ann.
“I was ambassador of the T20 World Cup tournament, which helped the sport to be marketed in a major way in the USA. I was also able to participate in Cricket Legends Tournaments, and I was happy to receive my iTunes No. 1 plaque for being on an album with Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Capleton, and Ms Lauryn Hill,” an enthusiastic Gayle told The Gleaner.
He added, “Also, my brother got married recently, and it was a great feeling to see my family together knowing we a come from a humble background where we had no running water or electricity.”
The superstar cricketer, who goes by the moniker Universe Boss when wearing his entertainment hat, is currently pulling out all the stops for his annual birthday celebration, which will be at Pearly Beach in Ocho Rios. This year, the theme is ‘Retro soca pon di beach’.
“Fans can expect a retro soca beach party with celebrity guests and to see people having a great time and dancing non-stop. The liquor will be flowing, and food as well, and I look forward to patrons wearing their retro-style outfits and women in their bikinis,” Gayle shared.
Gayle is a party animal, and he is often seen enjoying himself as he supports the events put on by various promoters throughout the island. But 40 Shades of Gayle 5.0 is really not about him. The charitable cause supersedes Gayle himself. All of the proceeds are earmarked for the rehabilitation of his former school, the Josephine Glasspole Basic School.
The much-decorated cricketer, who specialises in on-field triples – the only player to score a triplet of centuries, a triple hundred in Tests – holds the title as the most-capped player for the West Indies in international cricket. He has also made his name in the field of entertainment as a singjay using the moniker Universe Boss when he released his first single in 2021, a collab with Indian rapper Emiway Bantai. His journey has seen him releasing several other songs and headlining Contractor Music album Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica: The Asian Edition.
But in the midst of this, Gayle remains passionate about “helping to build a better environment for our youth and future leaders”. And he is also big on respect – both showing it and giving it.
UNWANTED ATTENTION
Gayle has been getting some unwanted attention following an interview on Anthony Miller’s ER last Friday when he called out, by name, a member of the entertainment fraternity whose antics offended him. Eager to move past that, he has put on blinkers and focused on his own bashment celebration, which is known for its high energy, food galore, and its star-studded guest list.
But he did answer one question: Has the local entertainment fraternity embraced Universe Boss or are they still seeing Chris Gayle?
“Well the entertainment business in Jamaica should embrace the fact that I am in the industry because I bring investment and also have the means to spread Brand Jamaica on a global level. I never ask for preferential treatment but that I be treated fairly and not taken advantage of. Locally, a lot of times the entertainment industry sees Chris Gayle, which means they see a dollar sign,” the Universe Boss stated and switched the focus right back to 40 Shades of Gayle 5.0 Retro soca pon di beach.
“My event is well supported, and patrons fly from as far as Dubai and Australia. Last year, a man flew his own plane to attend,” Gayle revealed. “My philosophy is that no matter how many people show up, I’m still going to have a great time.”