Dominican artist Trilla-G, whose real name is Gael Jno. Baptiste, has launched a new initiative aimed at giving emerging Bouyon performers a platform to be heard. The project, called the Up Next Cypher, is being rolled out through his Still Trill Entertainment label and is designed to spotlight the next wave of talent in Dominica's signature genre.
Volume One of the Up Next Cypher features G'z Up, the stage name of Phillip Martin, alongside other young artists selected to take part in the first instalment. The cypher format, in which multiple performers deliver verses over a shared instrumental, is a familiar fixture in Caribbean music and offers a compact showcase for artists still building their reputations.
Bouyon is Dominica's homegrown musical style, built on driving rhythms and call-and-response vocals, and it has long served as a vehicle for national pride and youth expression. By creating a dedicated cypher series, Trilla-G is positioning himself not only as a performer but as a facilitator for the generation coming up behind him.
The launch comes as Dominica's music scene continues to draw attention across the region, with Bouyon artists increasingly collaborating across the Eastern Caribbean and performing at festivals beyond the island. Platforms such as Still Trill Entertainment give young performers a route to reach audiences without waiting for traditional gatekeepers.
For emerging artists, exposure remains one of the biggest hurdles. A cypher series can provide a low-barrier entry point, allowing newcomers to record a verse, gain visibility and connect with a wider network of producers, promoters and listeners. That is the opportunity the Up Next Cypher appears to offer.
Trilla-G has not yet announced details of future volumes, but the naming of the project as Volume One suggests the intention is to continue the series and bring through additional talent. Further instalments would give more young Dominicans a chance to appear alongside established names.
The initiative also adds to the island's cultural calendar, reinforcing the role of Creole and Bouyon music in national life. Dominica's Carnival, Independence celebrations and the World Creole Music Festival all depend on a steady supply of new artists, and projects that nurture talent at the grassroots level help sustain that pipeline.
For now, the focus is on Volume One and the performers it introduces. G'z Up and the other featured artists will be hoping the exposure translates into bookings, airplay and a broader following. Trilla-G, through Still Trill Entertainment, has signalled that he intends to keep the door open for those next in line.
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