CHRIS Gayle is hoping to score big in the dancehall arena with his latest single Gimmie Your Love. It features newcomer Shav-A and is part of the forthcoming Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Asian Edition.

Gimmie Your Love is produced by Gary G.

“Gary G reached out to me and said he wanted me on the track and I didn’t hesitate. I rounded up my Triple Century Records crew and we recorded the song straight away. It’s really a love song and I’m sure everyone will catch on to it,” Gayle, 42, disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

The cricketer-turned-musician, who once played for the West Indies cricket team, said he is excited to be included in the project.

“Honestly, it’s a great feeling to be a part of this project. When you look at the names that are associated with the project, damn, it’s a big win for me. Especially for someone who’s just crossing over into music. This is a big step in my music career. I’m really and truly happy to be associated with this project,” said Gayle.

The Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica: The Asian Edition features songs from acts, including Sasi the Don, rapper Redman, Capleton, R&B singer Jason Derulo, King Tiger, Alistair, Lady Marga MC, Jah Cure, Gentleman, and Morgan Heritage.

The compilation series, executive produced by Sean “Contractor” Edwards, is set for a June 24 release.

This is not Gayle’s first foray into the entertainment field. Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, he operated the popular Triple Century Sports Bar in New Kingston, St Andrew.

Gayle said music wasn’t a priority on his list.

“No, I wasn’t looking at doing music; that wasn’t part of the Universe Boss. The pandemic brought something different out of me and that’s when I started recording and I’m loving it,” he said. “Music is in our blood as a youngster growing up. We go to the street dances and listen to music on your Walkman radio. I wasn’t really looking on the long-term side.”

Gayle made his recording debut in early 2020 when he teamed with Indian rapper Emiway Bantai on the track Jamaica to India. Later that year, he teamed up with Tanto Blacks for We Come Out to Party, produced by Kurt Riley.

Asked if it was difficult juggling music and sports, Gayle said: “Never. Music only started during the pandemic. I was fully focused on cricket. I’m coming to the back-end of my career now, so I see it fit to pay more attention to the music side of things, getting more involved in the music, while signing artistes to my label Triple Century Records. I worked it out perfectly and I know how to monitor it.”

Gayle, who played international cricket for the West Indies since 1999, has set numerous records across all three formats of the game. He is the most-capped player for the West Indies in international cricket and is the only player to score a triplet of centuries – a triple hundred in Tests, double hundred in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and a hundred in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

He announced his retirement from international cricket in November 2021.