Retro style birthday party for ‘Universe Boss’

A retro style party on the beach is the theme of this year's '40 Shades of Gayle', explosive batsman Chris Gayle's annual birthday bash.

The beach of choice is located in Ocho Rios and party animal Gayle has again found a way to have the time of his life while raising funds for his charitable work as well as his musical projects.

"The proceeds are for the Chris Gayle Foundation which is used to help children and families in need, as well as the youth at the Lucas Cricket Club which helped in my development and is the home of my cricket academy," Gayle told THE STAR.

The music component to the funds being raised will assist with projects in the works. Gayle, who has established himself in the world of entertainment under the moniker, 'Universe Boss', has been making what can be considered 'boss" moves, racking up streams and YouTube views in the millions headlining the Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica - The Asian Edition album. The project, which also features Morgan Heritage, Ms Lauryn Hill, Capleton, Sizzla, and others, spearheaded by executive producer Sean 'Contractor' Edwards, was recently submitted for a Grammy award in the reggae category.

Gayle shared that "with the rise in my music career and the success of the Tropical House album I headlined, I also want to develop young talent at my studio".

As the Universe Boss, he recently took over Jake's Place in Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth to shoot a new music video for his song Hot Like Lava which was directed by AJG Logan with lead model Leah Rowe from Atlanta. The song is produced by Camar 'Flava' Doyles for Gayle's Triple Century Records.

Tickets for the September 16 event at Pearly Beach are US$140 (approximately J$20,000) and there is a gold ticket for US$1,500 (approximately J$281,000), which has accessories including a cabana, three premium bottles, seven general passes and personal hostess.

Speaking to the theme, Gayle explained, "I like to go out to big events and music from the 90s make me have a really good time when I party. So I sat with the team at Triple Century Records and Contractor Music Marketing and decided my birthday beach party would be about the 90s theme. I had never been to retro party on the beach so we decided to create one."

Born on September 21, 1979, Chris Gayle is this year celebrating his 44th birthday, but, as he explained, 40 Shades of Gayle has become a brand ever since he held the first one in 2019.

Last year, his red carpet birthday bash was held at his mansion in Chancery Hall, St Andrew, which played host to an all-inclusive food and drink event. A second leg was held at Laughing Waters in St Ann, at which international guests flew in to enjoy.