Chris Gayle, Camar make Bobby Konders playlist
Well-known producer Sean “Contractor” Edwards is in jubilant spirits after the Choco Loco remix
— a track by Chris Gayle and Camar — made the Bobby Konders Hot 97 playlist.
“I feel real good about this accomplishment because it made the Afrobeats playlist on Bobby Konders show on Hot 97. It’s good to know Bobby Konders now plays Afrobeats on his reggae and dancehall show, because Bobby Konders is one of the top reggae radio DJs in the world and receives lots of songs daily. It’s difficult to make his playlist,” Edwards told the Jamaica Observer.
Bobby Konders is a DJ and producer based in Brooklyn, New York. He runs the Massive B label, which was a division of Nu Groove Records for the house music Konders produced in the early 1990s.
Meanwhile, the Choco Loco remix was featured on the Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica: The Asian Edition album released in December 2022. It also featured Lauryn Hill, Capleton, Sizzla, Morgan Heritage, Shav A, Backpack Shawty, Stamma Kid, Cyanide OFTM, All Star, Melodiq, and 10th Wonder.
Edwards further explained that the album’s success is greatly due to Chris Gayle’s popularity.
“The marketing process revolves heavily around Chris Gayle and his social media presence. He has 13 million followers on Facebook and over four million on both Instagram and Twitter and he constantly posts the accomplishments of the album and links where people can buy and stream the album,” the producer said.
Gayle, on the other hand, who was a renowned West Indies cricketer, noted that the music industry encompasses similarities to the sporting arena which made his transition smooth.
“Music and sports are similar, and I find that, just like cricket, to be successful in music you have to have a good team, and with Contractor doing the marketing, and Camar Flave as my producer, we make a great team. Also, I am fuelled by doubters and critics, and when people doubt and criticise me I work much harder,” he told the Observer.
He also noted that the Tropical House album has reiterated the significance of Jamaican music around the world.
“Wherever I go in the world I hear Jamaican music. Now this album is opening up reggae more in India, which is a previously untapped market and shows that our music is universal and has no boundaries. Being played on a major radio station like Hot 97 in New York means Jamaican.music has mass appeal across many cultures,” Gayle said.