Issue link: http://theflywire.uberflip.com/i/135317
"A lot of people see the glam side of me. They see me on BET once a week and hear me on Russ Parr and wonder, why is he so tired? They don't see the hours of planning, marketing and branding that's helped me separate myself. They don't see I was in three planning meetings. I do conference calls with four national sponsors every day. I don't just show up in the club, I have to make sure my set is prepped, the music beds have to match, etc. The work ethic is so important. A lot of people want fame and money, but they're not willing to put in the time. Success takes time. Take Beyonce for example, she's iconic. She's been doing this everyday for 25 years, but she still practices every day. Becoming Beyonce was the fun part, staying Beyonce is difficult." AN OUNCE OF PREPARATION "Always be prepared. I can still hear the boos of those kids 23 years later. I'm glad I didn't give up then. It was an ego buster. I went home and my Dad told me it was a lesson. If I had another fuse I would've been able to fix it. He told me to make sure I always have extra fuses, an extra set of needles and headphones. Today the equipment has changed, but I'm always prepared. I always have a backup. I still remember that feeling that day in my cousin's basement, that's why I work so hard." WORDS OF WISDOM Lots of aspiring DJ's see QuickSilva's success and strive to be like him. More than his success is the struggle involved in his story. His motto hard work, dedication and consistency is a way of life for him. In order to achieve his level of success, you must put in his level of work. "They want success so fast. It takes time, most frustrated people quit. Most people who started out when I did, quit. The easy thing to do is quit. I'd tell the young DJs take your time, relax, when it happens it happens. When the faucet is dripping, once it comes out it, it flows. You can't just turn it on and the bathtub be full all at once, sometimes you have to start over and regroup." THE NEXT CHAPTER After 23 years in the field and worldwide notoriety it seems that DJ QuickSilva is sitting on top of the world. He's made his city, his family and his parents proud. So what's next for the man who it seems has accomplished it all? "What's next, I can't answer cause I'm having so much fun where I am. I told my manager by forty maybe I can retire. I'll DJ when I want to, not because I have mortgages to pay. Now with the kids getting older, I want to have more time. I commend my wife. I say I couldn't deal with me! How she puts up with a husband who's on the road and in the club every night I don't know. Now I want to get to the point where I can be at everything. I never want to miss a basketball game or ballet recital. Family is the one thing that appreciates you when you're Rico. This is my family, they are my life. DJing is my job, my family is my life. My son still says I'm his hero. When he says that it hits the heart in ways you couldn't imagine. I see him and see myself. He calls himself DJ Budd Buddy. He started five years before I started at age 5. I have a son that mimics anything I get into, so I have to make sure it's the right thing." Ray Lewis told Quick that when you change your thought process you change how you react to everything. After losing both parents, overcoming being shot, having the rug pulled from under him by losing a job and nearly losing his house taught him life lessons early on. "When I'm gone I want my legacy to be first, that I was a great husband and dad and that means the most. People can say QuickSilva was a hustler. Not in a bad way of drugs or hustling people, but that he knew what he wanted and went out and got it. Not one person can say they put me on. I want people to be like he put in the work. He had drive and passion, he worked. That's what I want people to say this guy put in the work to get everything that he has." When talking to him at 33 years old, QuickSilva comes off as a young man, wise beyond his years. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders and came through with flying colors. He's successful, hardworking, focused and humble. All he can do is win, QuickSilva put his city on his back and has the whole DMV behind him. Hardwork, dedication, consistency. I'm not going to say it's paid off…it's paying off. Bookings@unrulyonline.com www.djquicksilva.podomatic. com