Chris Gayle brings birthday bash back home

'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle, who's known for his elaborate annual birthday parties with exquisite venues, said he'll be taking his '40 Shades of Gayle' bash back to local soil this year, after hosting it in Dubai last year.

The iconic former West Indies cricketer now-turned-recording artiste said with an 'All White Mykonos Style' edition this year, he will be turning up the vibes while dripping in finesse, back home in an intimate gathering, where it all started.

"This year we wanted to create a different atmosphere with a river vibe, so we chose a secluded setting, near White River in Ocho Rios," Gayle told THE WEEKEND STAR.

While underscoring that this annual celebration is his way of showing gratitude to life, the upbeat 'party animal' said it also serves as a reflection for where he's coming from.

"It's 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 Contractor Music handle the street promotion and marketing, and of course my entire Triple Century Team help to execute this event each year," he said.

Gayle, whose birthday is September 21, said he'll be hosting his party celebrations a day earlier on September 20, with a "rich moment" of flamboyant flair, as he gives thanks for another year.

For a man like Chris Gayle who has dined with kings and been to the most exotic places on earth, one might think that his most precious and cherished gifts are made of diamonds and pearls or custom-designed items. But instead, he said the gifts that he "really enjoy is when someone donates to the Chris Gayle Foundation because I can use it to give back to my community and those in need".

After giving a taste of the true Jamaican upscale birthday party celebrations to the Middle East last year, Gayle's initial plan was to stage this year's event in India, which he referred to as his "second home", as a part of "strengthening the ties between Jamaica and India and also to assist charities in India by giving back to those in need". However, with all that being altered to the celebration returning home to 'The Rock', he pointed out that despite the connection he feels to other places and the number of countries he visited, home is where the heart is.

"My island Jamaica and the Caribbean are the most fascinating places to me along with India which is my home away from home. Outside of here, I find Monaco to be nice because of the luxurious environment and I like fast cars, so I've been to the Monaco Grand Prix. It was there I met [French footballer] Kylian Mbappe. I also like the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi with its desert adventures and I have been to Formula One races there also. It was there that I met Usher," he stated.

However, as he looks forward to creating lasting memories with his close relatives and friends on such a special occasion locally, he shared that there's nothing he enjoys more than family time.

"What I enjoy most about my life is spending time with my wonderful daughter and my dad who is 95 years old," he said. "I also enjoy being in a position to help others". He further noted that as he grows older, he "wouldn't change anything" about his life as he appreciates his humble upbringing as it instilled the passion inside him.

Gayle said it's hard for him to choose which one of his birthday events he would say was his most outstanding, as all have left with him some unique memories.

"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 [who] support me every year [and that] is really special," said Gayle.