5 Questions With ... Chris Gayle
Published:Friday | September 12, 2025 | 12:07 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Whether he is wearing his ‘Universe Boss’ branded clothing, dressed like royalty at Ascot while puffing on a cigar, or meeting Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Chris Gayle traverses the globe with style, panache and a swag that is unmatched.
When he casually debuted his ‘Universe Boss’ garments on August 18 – against a Dubai landscape, no less – the comments section on his Instagram was lit.
He is currently in promotional mode for 40 Shades of Gayle, his annual birthday celebration and brand, which has become a highly anticipated calendar event. The Universe Boss has checked the date September 20 for the lavish, all-inclusive party and guest are in a tizzy with preparations. For the record, Gayle’s birthday is actually September 21.
Over the years 40 Shades has served up fancy themes, delicious food, top selectors, great music and international celebrities who jet into Jamaica from far-flung places to support Gayle at his venue of choice. One year it was at his mansion in the hills of Chancery Hall, St Andrew, at other times it was on pristine, white sand beaches. Whatever the venue, of greatest importance to the host is the fundraising aspect of 40 Shades, which is directly tied to the work of the Chris Gayle Foundation.
Gayle started his cricket career with Lucas Cricket Club in Kingston. “If it was not for Lucas, I don’t know where I would be today. Maybe on the streets,” Gayle is quoted in his Wikipedia bio. Lucas Cricket Club’s nursery has been named in honour of Gayle.
The Universe Boss, or GayleStorm, as he is dubbed, played for the West Indies from 1999 to 2021, amassing quite a few accolades along the journey. He captained the Test side, helping the team win the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, and the 2016 ICC World Twenty20. Gayle also played in various domestic leagues worldwide, including the Indian Premier League, where he holds the record for the highest individual T20 score. Beyond cricket, he has also launched a music career in dancehall and hip-hop.
As an entertainer, his most current projects are Living It Up, an appropriately titled collaboration with Omari Banks, as well as a collaboration with Indian rapper, Chandan Shetty on a “track that blends swagger, style, and sound like never before”.
That song is titled Life is Casino. This year’s staging of 40 Shades is deliberately shrouded in tantalising secrecy. “Who’s ready to visit Jamaica again? #40ShadesOfGayle,” he asked last month alongside a picture of the flyer, which failed to mention where the party will be hosted. In a bid to know more, 5 Questions With... caught up with Chris Gayle and he shared some details.
Where exactly will 40 Shades of Gayle be held this year and why have you chosen this location?
This year we are raising the bar and making it an invitation-only private event. The location will be undisclosed to the public. The invited guests will receive a QR code on their phone with their invitation and the secret location. This year is the all-white edition ... in Mykonos settings, like in Greece. The invitation will also have information on how to donate to my charity so I can continue to help those in need.
How involved are you in the planning of the event?
Well, 40 Shades of Gayle is really a celebration of my life knowing that I started from very humble beginnings. My team mostly handles the planning because I’m usually not in Jamaica for months before the party because I’m away for work. My personal assistant Chantal does most of the planning with my input and my team of Camar Flava and Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards of Contractor Music handle the street promotion and marketing and, of course, my entire Triple Century Team help to execute this event each year.
What is the pull for persons to support 40 Shades each year?
My party always has beautiful people who love to enjoy themselves, excellent service, exquisite food and the alcohol flowing.
Your track with Chandan Shetty is described as “an international project that combines global swagger with desi (Indian) energy”. You seem to enjoy a love affair with India. Is that so?
Yes. India has really treated me as one of their own because of the sport of cricket and my performances in the Indian Premier League. Last year, I met India’s Prime Minister Modi while he was meeting Prime Minister Holness in India. Jamaican culture is on the rise and there are many possibilities to open many more markets with our culture and music. With so many of my invited guests coming from all over the world to my party this year, we will exchange ideas on how to grow Brand Jamaica in new markets.
Which edition of 40 Shades have you enjoyed most so far?
Honestly, I enjoy all of them because my friends travel from as far as New Zealand, Australia and Dubai just to celebrate with me. I had one friend even fly his personal airplane over. Just to see my friends like Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell support me every year is really special.