DJ Silver of the Ivory Coast hails from the newly established DMC West Africa branch and made an immediate impact by securing 2nd place in the DMC Open World Finals! His unique style and energy elevated the competition, setting a high standard for this fresh addition to the DMC family.
Photo by Jeff Straw
1. What inspired you to start DJing, and how did you first get into turntablism/Djing?
I was inspired by DJ BDK, a DJ from my country who stood out from the others with his
mixing identity (Technique, Scratch, mash up). I started to be interested in the world of
Turntablism when I discovered DJ's who are legends like Jazzy Jeff, DJ Babu, DJ JYLL'K, DJPuffy, DJ MystykalKut since then I gave myself body and soul to be part of this batch of
DJ's.
2. What does being a finalist in the 2024 DMC World DJ Championships mean to you
personally and professionally?
DMC has always been a childhood dream that has haunted me since my young DJ
career that I started 3 years ago today. Knowing well that DMC is the most prestigious
DJ competition in the world, I had this obligation to myself to participate one day
I already wanted one day to find myself in front of the DMC jury judging my sleepless
nights of work, feel the stress of not missing a scratch note, Mixed with opponents who
are all as passionate as me, And also finally wrote my little story in the world of DMC so
that people remember me, my passage of Each transition of each technique that I
carefully prepared during several months several sleepless nights
Photo by Jeff Straw
How did you prepare for this year’s competition? Do you have a specific routine or mindset leading up to your set?
Frankly the preparation was the hardest part and at the same time the most historic
part of the story. Competition was not one of my goals that I wanted to achieve this
year. But the opportunity presented itself, I just told myself that no one should reach
the top there if it's not me. I had an African tour this year. I canceled everything to
concentrate on preparing for the competition. ,because at the beginning it was just a
childhood dream but at one point you represent all the DJs of a country you represent a
Nation. So you have to be up to the task to carry the flag of your country high, Each
work session made me understand why I became a DJ, I started to have the ease of
doing things that I could take 1 week to do. I started to find in myself the DJ I wanted to
be. So I stayed hooked until the end
5. What was your biggest challenge while preparing your routine, and how did you
overcome it?
My biggest challenge was putting ideas together 💡. This is the most difficult part
You already have to imagine the techniques you want to put in your set
After finding the techniques, you have to bring it all together so that it can give a
coherent set that doesn't go in all directions. The hardest part for me was getting my set
to tell a story. From start to finish. I wanted to show that I come from Africa but I am
musically cultivated. Something that requires a lot of work
6. Do you have a favorite part of your set, and why does it stand out to you?
Yeah, that was the part where I did the Mash Up with several acapellas and
instrumentals of different tones. Each time I had to change the key of the acapella or
the instrumental. One mistake at the beginning, everything is ruined 😹😹
And also my TonePlay. If you make a mistake on a note, everyone will realize that there
was a mistake, so these are really the parts that struck me the most
7. How long have you been DJing?
I have been a DJ since the end of 2020. 2021 I joined the very first DJ school in my
country (DJ SCHOOL Abidjan), I finished the training at the end of 2021, that’s when I
really started my little career
7. What are your favorite genres of music at the moment?
Whoever talks about DJing talks about Hip hop. So I would say hip-hop but since
I'm a club DJ I mix a little bit of everything, Funk, House, Dance all, booyon? Soca?
Trap, Drill, baile Funk, afro beat
8. Besides DJing, what are some other talents or hobbies that you are skilled at or
love to do?
Very honestly, apart from DJing, I don’t enjoy doing anything else,
I studied Electronics with a degree but the passion for DJing is stronger than
anything in my life
9. What advice would you give to aspiring DJs looking to compete in the DMC
Championships?
It takes a lot of physical and mental preparation, a lot of routines, work just
work.
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