The Flywire

The Man The Brand The Legend the quicksiLVa story Y By Brandi Proctor Photo: Paul A. Greene ou know him as a Party Boy, a Ciroc Boy, your drive time DJ and the one who makes you throw your right hand up on the dance floor screaming "Ayyyyyyeeee! That's my shhh…" He spins in clubs seven nights a week, yes, seven. He deejays on the Russ Parr Morning Show on weekdays and on WKYS 93.9 during the evening drive time. He travels to other states several times a month and you can catch him on BET's 106 and Park weekly. With a schedule like that it's no wonder he lives by three simple words…hard work, dedication and consistency. But there's more to "Quick, Quick Silva" than meets the eye. Let's go back a few years… January 1990. THE BEGINNING ends before a night spinning at Hammerjacks turned into something major. A radio executive heard his set, saw the crowd's reaction and said, "This guy belongs on the radio full-time." At 20 years old, he had his own show on X105.7. LOOK MOMMA I MADE IT QuickSilva was living the dream. He had money to blow and he did. He did what any man his age would've done. Paid rent, bought clothes, shoes and his favorite cars. Fortunately, he knew he had to be smart with his money. After all, it was his first job with a salary and benefits. So, he bought a house. He went to closing on a Tuesday. Three days later, X1057 went off the air. His world came crashing down,,, again. Imagine the biggest house party of the year, more than 100 kids packed in the basement. Lights off, music thumping… Unlike most 20-somethings…Quick didn't have anyone to behind the DJ table stood a 10 year Roberto Silva aka Rico fall back on. At ten he lost his mother to cancer. His father newly known as DJ QuickSilva. The party is off the hook, the tap is in full effect… Kid n' Play on the dance floor… cabbage patching all around the room when "BOOM." The speakers blow. A bad fuse is the culprit, and the young DJ isn't prepared to replace it. The crowd, that was just rocking with him began to boo… "Booooo Boooo. Get a new DJ." The birthday girl was is in tears, yelling at the crowd to leave her cousin alone. A young DJ QuickSilva wanted to cry himself but had to be tough. The party was ruined, the crowd was hostile. The experience would've been enough to break anyone's spirit, especially that of a ten year old. But not that DJ. He had a point to prove, a reputation to defend and a love for the craft that nothing, not even failure could break. got him his first set of turntables after her death. He had DJ Quicksilva was determined that feeling he had that night, thrown himself into music at such a young age to help cope. he'd never feel again. From that, a legend was made. By 14, At 13, Rico was at the wrong place at the wrong time and a student at City College, he was in Club Indigo every Satur- wound up getting shot in the back. Doctors, told him, he'd day. When radio station V-103 needed a fill-in for DJ Boobie never walk again. He successfully beat the odds. Yet, at 18 in 1998, DJ QuickSilva was their man. He also did weekends years old, his father and backbone also passed away. He at 92Q for two years and worked at a record store to make and his brothers were forced to be men.Quick had to make Quick had to make it. Failure was not an option. The Flywire  38

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