"Then someone commented on that saying I should put it in the Team Backpack Cypher thing. That was when I first found out about that."
The American-based Team Backpack grew out of the
global independent hip-hop scene and has a worldwide following on YouTube, with more than 10 million views on their channel. They pride themselves on their artist development and talent discovery programmes including the annual Cypher auditions focused on finding young, talented emcees.
The final round is part of Team Backpack's Mission Underground event.
Mission Underground is a three-day hip hop festival featuring performances from new talent and the 'heavy hitters' of the underground hip hop scene, some of which came up through past Cypher auditions.
"You get to perform next to some of the big names, and it gets put on YouTube so it gets seen by a lot of people," said Cian.
He said that making it to the final round, and rubbing shoulders with the big guys, will bring a lot of opportunities.
"[It's] recognition, it'll hopefully open a door for something. The chance to work with someone, or even just more people watching my stuff, so when I put something out it's got more of an audience."
To get to Los Angeles Cian will have to raise $5500 to cover travel and accommodation for him and his mother, Mandy Gregan.
Luckily Cian's friends and family have been supportive, and a travel agent cousin has been putting together a good deal for them.
"It's been great, especially since this is such a short notice thing," Mandy Gregan said.
Cian set up a Givealittle page to co-ordinate contributions, and is holding raffles, quiz nights, and performances as a fun way to raise money from friends and family.
Cian's Givealittle page is www.givealittle.co.nz/donate/cause/helpghost.