Gayle bats for Grammy
Retired cricketer-turned-recording artiste Chris Gayle is optimistic that the Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica: The Asian Edition album, which he headlined, will be nominated for at least one Grammy Award after he submits it for consideration later this month.
Gayle is submitting the project in the Best Global Music Album and Best Reggae Album categories.
“Originally this album was made for the Asian market countries, where cricket is popular and I am well known. This region listens to world music and in this category. I am confident we can do well at the Grammys. There is also a chance it can do well in reggae [category] because the album also has Lauryn Hill, Morgan Heritage, Capleton, and Sizzla on it,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
The seven-track set was produced by Sean “Contractor” Edwards. Other acts featured on the project included Backpack Shawty, Stamma Kid, Cyanide OFTM, All Star, Melodiq and 10th Wonder.
Submissions for the Grammy Awards will be open on July 18 at 9:00 am Pacific Time/ noon Eastern Time.
Meanwhile, Gayle says his optimism is spiked by how well the project has been received since its December 2022 release.
“As headliner of the album, I have two songs on it: Choco Loco Remix with Camar and Gimme Love with Shav A. Choco Loco Remix made it all the way to the Bobby Konders playlist on Hot97 in New York. The album itself went to number one on the USA iTunes Reggae Album chart and did 10 weeks on the New York and Florida album charts,” he explained.
On another hand, Gayle has kept busy with several engagements. He further said that he expects that his compatriots will show out for this year’s submissions.
“I’m having a great summer. I had a new video with Indian artist Arko [that] hit six million views in three weeks, and I threw out the first pitch at Cricket Day in Toronto with the Toronto Blue Jays. I also have my beach party in September in Ocho Rios. When I look around, I see young artistes doing well, like Teejay and Byron Messa, so I suspect the Grammy race this year to be very exciting,” he said.
