Exclusive: Celebrity DJ, and Serial Entrepreneur Quicksilva

From the moment he received his first set of turntables at age 10, the deejay internationally recognized as “The Party Kingpin,” Quicksilva was born. Through raw talent and dynamic energy, Quicksilva has risen to be one of the best mix deejays, party hosts, personalities, and overall entertainers in the music industry. By the age of 14, Quicksilva’s Club mix tapes dominated the streets of Baltimore well above and beyond those twice his age with double the years of experience. His dedication and talent quickly landed him in the office of Baltimore’s largest production company, Unruly Productions. No sooner than signing with Unruly, his dedication and sheer talent to move a crowd earned Quick a weekly spot at Baltimore’s Club
Indigo. His popularity soared in just a few short weeks which led him next to be offered the 9 o’clock Mix-Show slot at Baltimore’s top urban radio station, WXYV V-103FM. In 1998, Quicksilva transitioned to another top station, Radio One’s WERQ 92.3 FM, where he remained a DJ until 2000.

During his career, he has worked with some of the greats in the radio industry such as Radio Executives Thea Mitchum and Jay Stevens, and being selected by industry legend Cathy Hughes—as the deejay for her Radio One Fest in Miami. By the age of 20, Quicksilva had made quite a name for himself. He was soon offered the “Hot Boy” spot on Baltimore’s WXYV 105.7 FM, working five days a week as a mixer and on-air personality during the coveted 6-10 pm drive. This experience opened numerous doors for Quicksilva. The list of celebrities for whom has deejayed reads like the ultimate VIP list that includes award-winning R&B artist, Stevie Wonder, Lil’ Mo, Common, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, and BET Founder Bob Johnsons’ Grand Opening of the BET Soundstage in Turks & Caicos.

He has been one of the official DJ’s on some of the biggest national and international tours and events in recent time including the Rock the Mic Tour with Jay Z, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Missy, Fabolous, and Sean Paul; one of the Official Tour DJs for The Pepsi and Seagram’s Tour paired him again as the official DJ for Lil’ Mo and working with tour mates Carl Thomas, and Raheem DeVaughn; and, he was the Official DJ of the sold-out HOT 97 Summer Jam which boast a crowd of over 70,000 people. Quick also had the distinct pleasure of having been an opening DJ for Janet Jackson and tour DJ for Mario and Lil’ Mo. Not only recognized as the top DJ in the “DMV”, but Quicksilva is also known to give back to his community through his foundation, “The Silva Lining Foundation,” which focuses on kids who lost parents at a young age as he relates very closely with. He also speaks to youth on a weekly basis about the importance of making good choices.

It’s easy to see why he was voted into Source Magazine’s top 10 of the “Power 30”. Turning his passion into education, Quicksilva co-founded the Quick & Eazy DJ School right in Baltimore, MD where he teaches his craft to those looking to become the next hottest DJ. From working as NFL Baltimore Ravens Linebacker, Ray Lewis’ personal DJ to deejaying in the hottest clubs in major cities like Miami at Liv, Charlotte at Republic, or weekly in DC at The Park at 14th there is no doubt that Quicksilva has proven time and again why he dons the title of, “The Party King Pin”. Now you can hear Quicksilva hosting his trailblazing #1 Urban afternoon drive show, THE QUICKSILVA SHOW with co-host Dominique Da Diva.

To round out his list of accolades and accomplishments, Quicksilva recently created the company DMV Job Finder (www.DMVJobFinder.com) to assist people in the Baltimore and DC areas to find employment regardless of their level of education or personal background. Quicksilva is also the co-owner of Club Downtown Baltimore as well as 295ENT and holds multiple brand partnership deals with Remy Martin, Puma, DTLR & INDOGGO Gin.

Hustle and Soul Magazine got an exclusive interview with Quicksilva.

Tammy: What inspired you to get into the entertainment and media industry?

Quicksilva: When I first started Deejaying I was originally inspired by a movie called “Beat Street, which was many many years ago.” But what inspires me and keeps me inspired in the entertainment and media industry is really having the ability to not only entertain but to inform. I love informing, motivating, and educating those around me. I enjoy giving people a platform to speak their minds, especially if it’s something that is impacting the community. That’s why I still love radio so much!

Tammy: How does it feel to be named the #1 DJ in the DMV?

Quicksilva: All accolades feel good, but I don’t focus on it. I’m one of those people who love to work, and I don’t do it for money or fame, I do it because I love it. I have a passion for deejaying. I always say if you make yourself the best version of yourself, eventually, people will see it. I’ve won national and global awards throughout my career, but when I win something, I won’t bask in it, I go straight back to work. I love being consistent and I appreciate all of the accolades, but I do it because it’s something I really love.

Tammy: What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?

Quicksilva: What I enjoy most and really love is motivating. My Vitamin of the Day is probably the most personal project of my radio show and career right now. These segments have turned into something so much more — it’s about motivating and connecting people. I really love deejaying, entertaining, rocking the clubs, and performing, but at this time in my life, I love motivating people to not give up and that they can make it through life. I am literally a walking testimony of that.

Tammy: What are some memorable moments in your career so far?

Quicksilva: Oh man! I have so many! The first one that comes to mind is winning the Global
Spinning Award as of one of the highlights of my career. That’s the highest award you can win as a DJ. This award is equivalent to an actor winning an Oscar. I’ve been so blessed to win not just one but two. To be in the room with not just the biggest DJ’s in the DMV or a particular state, but to be in the room with the biggest DJ’s in the world and to be recognized, was a moment that really hit me and reminded me that I’m more than just the kid from Baltimore.

I also remember when Stevie Wonder came to an event, and I had the privilege to DJ for Stevie while he performed. It was amazing! I also had the privilege to open for Janet Jackson, and deejaying for 106 & Park for five seasons was a huge highlight of my career. I’ve done so much throughout my career, I have so many memorable moments. Even right now I have a syndicated radio show, which has grown so much. I’ve toured over 30 cities with top rappers like Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Lil Mo. These are things you dreamed about as a kid, and I am thankful to be at this place in my life. It was God’s plan, and I
am glad I did it.

Tammy: What impact did you intend to make when you first began your career?

Quicksilva: When I first began my career, my only goal was to be the biggest DJ in East Baltimore. I had no idea that I would eventually be the biggest DJ in D.C. and the region. In 2006, I won the East Coast DJ of the Year Award at The Mix Show Power Summit that was hosted in Dominican Republican.

My goals have always exceeded themselves because as a kid, I just wanted to be the biggest DJ in my hood. All of these accolades I’ve received were never the plan, but I always say if you put in hard work, consistency, and be the best version of yourself — the money will come. I am blessed to be in the space that I am now.

Tammy: How have you remained booked and busy for over 25 years?

Quicksilva: Consistency. One thing about myself is that no matter what happens, I still show up. When the lights come on, I perform. When the mic turns on, I perform, and I give a good show. I don’t care what I am going through in my personal life, you know when I show up, you’re going to get a good show. I market and brand myself a lot too, I focused on creating the “QuickSilva” name and keeping the consistent name everywhere I went.

I did this because no matter where I went, I knew that keeping that consistency would help me stay top-of-mind to my audience. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had slow and rough periods, but I’ve stayed consistent no matter what. The key to success is to overdeliver not just once, but all the time — then your potential will be endless.

Tammy: It’s Mental Health Awareness Month. How do you balance career, mental health and
family?

Quicksilva: I make it look easy, but it’s not. We all go through mental health issues like anxiety and depression. I’m a family man. I’m a husband and a dad to a son and daughter, and it can be tough going from the plane to the radio, to the hotels, back on a plane, to a concert, the club, then back to hotels and planes. That has been my life for the last 25 years, so when I became a dad and a husband that did not stop.

I always try to include my family in things and make vacations out of work trips, but it’s still difficult. Success can sometimes cause a mental toll on you, but you must keep going through and moving through those phases. Never let your frustrations get the best of you, stay focused and keep working. I’ve had bad days, but I still show up and go to work. This is a testimony to my consistency.

Tammy: What are you currently working on?

Quicksilva: So much! Right now, I am the co-founder of the DJ school The Quick and Eazy DJ Academy based in Baltimore. This is a passion of mine right now and not something I planned for, but I enjoy it, and I am looking to franchise the school in the next year and be in 5-10 cities. My radio show has been amazing, The QuickSilva show, and I plan to be syndicated in 30 cities in the coming year. Recently, I launched 295 Ent, which is a marketing firm that specializes in artist coaching and helping them land recording deals.

My business partners Angie Ang and Shawn Caesar, who happens to be my manager, originally created this entity to bridge the gap between Baltimore and D.C and also to funnel artists to the right place. So many times artists don’t understand the music business and I wanted to use my network to educate and stand behind them. We all have strong networks; I am using mine to help these talented artists.

I still own a club in Baltimore called Downtown Scandal, we’ve been closed due to COVID for almost a year and just reopened and it’s doing pretty well already. I’m still a touring DJ, in the last two weeks alone I’ve deejayed in LA, Houston, ATL, Miami, D.C., and Charlotte to name some — I’m still one of the biggest party DJs in the US; “The Party King Pin” is my alias. I have a lot going on, but I am so blessed to help so many people with jobs and help them achieve their goals and follow their dreams.

Tammy: What do you want your legacy to look like?

Quicksilva: I want my legacy to look like this: somebody who overcame so much and still made the best of this life. Not just his life, but he made those around him better. That’s my goal — it’s not just about me, it’s about making those around me better and helping those around me any way I can while helping them find their purpose and passion by watching my life. I hope it inspires somebody to say “If he can do it, so can I.”

Tammy: Any advice for aspiring entertainment and media professionals?

Quicksilva: Learn the business. This industry is 90% business and 10% music — if you don’t learn the business, it doesn’t matter how talented you are or how good you think you are, this industry will eat you alive. I’ve learned this from trial and error, and this isn’t a hobby or something you do part-time.

You must show up and give a good show — nobody cares about your excuses. You think this industry loves you until one day you don’t show up — and they forget about you fast. You have to do this fully and if not, this isn’t for you. The music industry may not be a good fit.