The boundless reach of social media brought Jamaican deejay Max Wayne and Bahamian singer, Starr Trilli together for ‘What A Gwan’, an unlikely collaboration that was recently released by Virgin Music Group, a division of Universal Music.
Max Wayne’s solo cut was released in 2025, but the New York-based artist believed a remix with a guest artist would take it further. He sought that person on TikTok and found Starr Trilli, who is from Grand Bahama.
After watching an impromptu performance by her, he was sold on the vocalist who has been recording music since 2018.
“I saw her on TikTok Live doing a freestyle, and I contacted her, and she loved the song. Then she put her verse, and the ‘What A Gwan’ dance went viral and Virgin Music Group came through,” Max Wayne explained.
The song is produced by King Barka Productions, with Johnny Wonder handling promotion for Virgin Music Group.
“The message of What A Gwan is all about inspiring ghetto youth to uplift their lifestyle to own houses and other achievements,” said Max Wayne, who is from Spanish Town, Jamaica’s first capital.
Starr Trilli was raised in Freeport on diverse genres. Her influences include Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Nicki Minaj, Spice and Buju Banton.
She is thrilled to be part of a dancehall project.
After I spoke with Max Wayne and got all the details of the song and where I’d come in on the remix, I then listened to the song a few more times, just so I’d feel the vibe, get the concept and write the best lyrics to match his energy,” said Starr Trilli.
WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL