In short. Bouyon was born in 1988 in Roseau, Dominica, but Guadeloupe is the place making it explode today. "Gwada bouyon" is the Guadeloupe branch of the genre, which emerged from 2007, faster and harder, and revived since 2023 by the New Bouyon Wave collective. Here are the gwada artists to know, from the pioneers who opened the way to the voices that dominate in 2026.
Gwada bouyon grew dense fast: from the 2007 pioneers to the wave relaunched in 2023, the trajectories cross and answer each other. This guide sets the landmarks back in order: where gwada bouyon comes from, who launched it, and who carries it today.
Where gwada bouyon comes from
Bouyon doesn't come from Guadeloupe. It was born in Roseau, Dominica, in 1988, with the group WCK. Guadeloupe picked it up from 2007 and made its own version: faster, up to 160 BPM for hardcore bouyon, and plugged into dancehall and street codes. That's what we call gwada bouyon.
The first to carry this wave get organized between 2007 and 2013. Vador builds the Yellow Gaza project with DJ Joe and Asa Bantan, while Suppa founds the Gaza Crew. Around them, a first wave of voices settles in, with Kassidjé and Miky Ding La. By 2013, the local press documents the scale of the movement. Without this first wave, today's scene wouldn't exist. Chapter IV. Bouyon reaches Guadeloupe tells this period in detail.
2016-2022: the silent relaunch
Between the two waves, gwada bouyon doesn't disappear: it rebuilds. Bilix's single Sa Ka Débodé (January 2016) relights the fuse, DJ Weez puts the genre back into circulation in the party circuit, and the crossovers between Kevni and Edday hold the scene until the new generation arrives. Chapter V. Guadeloupe bouyon restarts retraces this pivotal period.
The New Bouyon Wave, the heart of the scene
Since 2023, a collective of young voices has revived gwada bouyon: the New Bouyon Wave. At the center, 1T1, producer and singer behind a large share of today's releases, including Bouwéy (2025) with Theomaa, certified gold, hailed by Outre-mer La 1ère as the sign of the genre's revival, and nominated at the 2026 Flammes. In May 2025, RFI hosted him on Couleurs Tropicales as one of the voices of the new generation.
Around them, the core runs nonstop: TIITII NBA and the Warm Up signature, Le Juh called in to hold a track down, Aknose who sums up the genre as "Caribbean techno," plus Nils, DJ Softee and Lucky lukee.
The female voices breaking through
The gwada scene isn't only a men's affair. MiiMii KDS, from Sainte-Rose, is the fastest-rising female voice. In 2026 she crosses a threshold few bouyon artists had reached: she opens for Aya Nakamura at the Stade de France, and she lands a featuring with rapper Niska. Before that, her single Sé Miimii (2025) became the first gwada bouyon release reviewed by US outlet Pitchfork.
Alongside her, Holly G, the first Guadeloupe artist invited to the BET Awards in 2024, and the masked duo Anonymous Gyal's, whose single Anaconda passed a million streams.
The rising names to watch
The scene keeps producing new names. DCAMP, Admiral T's son, released the album Double Impact in October 2025 and keeps the pace in 2026. That's the kind of profile to spot now, before everyone talks about it.
Where to start listening
Five landmarks to step into gwada bouyon without getting lost. Bouwéy by 1T1 and Theomaa (2025), the gold-certified release that carried the genre worldwide. Sé Miimii by MiiMii KDS (2025), the first Pitchfork review of gwada bouyon. New Bouyon Wave #1 (2023), the single that gave the movement its name. Anaconda by Anonymous Gyal's (2024), the masked duo's million-stream hit. And Sa Ka Débodé by Bilix (2016), the historic relaunch point.
TIITII NBA's official Bouyon New Waves playlist gathers the current releases:
Where to keep going
You have the landmarks of the gwada scene. To widen out to the whole bouyon map, Dominica and diaspora included, check the best bouyon artists to listen to in 2026. And if you'd rather follow the scene from the inside than watch it from afar: TIITII NBA is one of the eight voices of the New Bouyon Wave, and his current release is the shortest path between this page and what Guadeloupe is playing right now.
FAQ : bouyon from Guadeloupe
Does bouyon come from Guadeloupe? No. Bouyon was born in 1988 in Roseau, Dominica, with the group WCK. Guadeloupe picked it up from 2007 and made it gwada bouyon, faster and harder, which dominates the scene today.
Who are the bouyon artists from Guadeloupe? The New Bouyon Wave leads the scene: 1T1, TIITII NBA, Le Juh, Aknose, Theomaa, Nils, DJ Softee and Lucky lukee. On the female side, MiiMii KDS and Holly G rise fast. Before them, Vador, Asa Bantan and Suppa opened the way.
What is gwada bouyon? The Guadeloupe version of bouyon, which emerged from 2007. Faster (up to 160 BPM) and harder than the classic bouyon of Dominica, revived since 2023 by the New Bouyon Wave.
Who is the best-known female bouyon singer from Guadeloupe? MiiMii KDS is one of the most visible female voices in 2026, with an opening slot for Aya Nakamura at the Stade de France, a featuring with Niska and a Pitchfork review for her single Sé Miimii.
What is the BPM of gwada bouyon? Classic bouyon from Dominica runs at 152 BPM. Guadeloupe's hardcore bouyon goes up to 160 BPM. Cadence-lypso, the genre's rhythmic ancestor, sits at 95 BPM.
Where to listen to gwada bouyon? On Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and Deezer. TIITII NBA's Bouyon New Waves playlist gathers the current releases, and the best bouyon artists 2026 guide ranks the voices to follow.
Read more
Guadeloupe bouyon restarts. Chapter V. How bouyon moves from Dominica to Guadeloupe.
The New Bouyon Wave. Chapter VII. The Guadeloupe collective reviving the genre since 2023.
The best bouyon artists 2026. The full listening guide to bouyon.
