“Put Some Respect On Our Name,” Chris Gayle Says He And Usain Bolt Should Be Appreciated For Their Music
Universe Boss Chris Gayle has reiterated his call for Jamaican music lovers and members of the Dancehall fraternity to embrace him and his compatriot Usain Bolt and show respect for their musical endeavors.
“The music needs people like Usain Bolt and myself. We taking your music to different parts of the world. They should appreciate dat and they should love dat. So they need to accept dat and put some respect on our name. Simple as dat. Put some respect on our name. Usain Bolt, Chris Gayle – put some respect on our name and give us our credits when due,” he declared.
Gayle made his comments during a recent interview with Television Jamaica’s Anthony Miller after the veteran journalist stated that “the music industry known to withhold its ratings from sports stars turned recording artistes and producers” and queried whether or not he “has got that respect”.
“Not yet,” was Gayle’s response.
“And big up to Usain bolt the legend and NJ as well. They doing their music thing, content sound good, Usain doing his producing is fantastic as well,” he had stated.
Gayle’s statements come just over a year after he urged established Jamaican Dancehall entertainers to join forces with himself and Usain Bolt to do collabs, instead of jeering or ‘passing bad remarks’.
The Excelsior High School old boy had said sportsmen like himself should be encouraged and even invited to do collabs, as opposed to being shunned or ridiculed by established artists, as he himself, pushes Jamaica’s music genres wherever he goes in the world, particularly in far-flung countries like India where the island’s music is not popular, but where he has millions of doting fans. Noting that Jamaican artists are underestimating the global power of the Jamaican music culture, Gayle had explained that at times, when he goes out to bat, he has the choice to choose a song, and so he chooses the music of his Jamaican compatriots, wherever he goes in the world to play cricket.
Gayle ready for Reggae Sumfest debut, announces collab with Sean Paul and Shaggy
In the recent interview, Gayle told Miller that he feels he is at a point in music now, where he is unstoppable, and as a result, is ready for live performances on some of Jamaica’s biggest musical platforms, among his debut appearance on the upcoming Reggae Sumfest.
“Like I say, the only thing left for me to do now is some rehearsals and I’m ready for the stage. Trust mi,” Gayle said. “I am going to have a meeting with Joe (Bogdanovich) for the Sumfest, because Joe knowns what I bring on the table.”
“I can be on any show I want, put it that way. I can be on any show I want. Any show I want to be on Jamaica, I can be on it. Universe Boss can, be on any show I want. Is when I ready,” Gayle emphasized.
Among his other upcoming plans, which he said will be fulfilled shortly, is a collaborative track featuring himself and Dancehall legends, Sean Paul and Shaggy. Gayle made the revelation after host Anthony Miller inferred that by virtue of his wealth and status, “that also mean that you could collab with anybody you want”.
“Absolutely. That’s true, I can. One is in the making now with Shaggy and Sean Paul. I have done my part; I am just waiting on Sean Paul now,” Gayle replied, referencing the Dancehall superstar with whom he had danced up a storm during the opening ceremony of the Pakistani Super League in 2016.
Unlike Usain Bolt, Gayle has received much accolades for his songs. His first two releases Blessings and Wack We a Wack on his Triple Century Records label, had received thumbs up from artists such as Jesse Royal, Chi Ching Ching, Ding Dong, ZJ Liquid, and even Minister of Entertainment Olivia Grange.
Gayle has also collaborated with Tanto Blacks on We Come Out Fi Party and Stylo G on the Too Hot remix.
He will be featured on The Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Asian Edition album which is set for release on June 24. His single, which is titled Gimme Your Love, is a collaboration with up-and-coming artist Shav-A. The project is being executively produced by Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards.
Other artists on the production are R&B singer Jason Derulo, King Tiger, Alistar, Lady Marga MC, Gentleman, Morgan Heritage, rapper Redman and Reggae singer Jah Cure.
Gayle said that ordinary Jamaicans have embraced his music, and for this he is happy. “I think it has resonated back home, to be honest with you with the feedback with the Jamaican public, they will let you know what time it is,” he told Miller.
Noting that he and his songs are not above criticism, Gayle also explained that he was quite cognizant that as a sportsman, venturing into music recording, a field in which he has no prior experience or known vocal acumen, he would have to work harder than those who were naturally musically gifted.
“Whether it’s good or its bad – and it’s good to be criticized as well – we need that, because nothing is going to be perfect. But the feedback overseas is phenomenal. But Jamaicans on a whole, making the transition to music, it’s always going to be a challenge. For me I will have to do like four times an artiste will actually do,” he said.
“I have to get myself out there; I have to put in the work, just like when I’m playing the game of cricket as well, I have to put in the work. So music is four times the work now,” he added.
After Miller contended that “some will say Chris Gayle can’t sing; the lyrics are cheesy, he’s a great batsman but should stay in his lane”, the Kingston native insisted that he has never heard such sentiments being expressed anywhere in Jamaica.
“I have never heard anyone put those words on the street ever since I’m doing music. But if someone do actually say that, you know, I want to know which song and what lyrics they talking about because the content Triple Century Records been putting out is a lot of positive content,” he said.
When Miller asked: “who is going to do quality control for a Chris Gayle? Who is going to tell you stuff that you might not want to hear and “who cares about the critics when you are filthy rich”, the cricketer said that he has no “yes men” in his musical circles.
“They will be honest with me. And you want honest people around you bro. You don’t want a ‘yes man’ to say because you are Chris Gayle, ‘yes Chris dat sound good’. No, we have to be honest with each other. And the public is very honest,” he explained.
“Like I say I am glad I am from Jamaica because Jamaica is the most authentic place to tell you as it is. I am no different; they will tell me what time it is. And I am actually prepared for that, because I want to get better,” he added.