Even in Darkness
Posted Mar 13 2006
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One of the quickest ways to gauge a person’s character is to see how they deal with adversity. While some succumb to the challenge, others, such as Detroit’s DJ Flaco aka DJ Slim, rise to the occasion, finding the light even in the darkest of times. Just over three years ago, his older sister Raquel was shot to death, an event that proved to be a turning point for Flaco. On the day of her death, Flaco, born Hugo Rivera, founded Shattered Dreams Productions in her memory. “My sister’s dream was to watch her son grow up and (for her) to be the best mother that she could. When she died, her dreams were shattered.” Already a DJ before his sister’s passing, Flaco found some solace in his music. “There’s no better release. I would spend countless hours mixing and my dad would just listen to me. It was a time when all of us were vulnerable.”
While it’s obvious that Flaco misses Raquel immensely, he has focused much of his energy into the success of SDP, along with his three partners, Jaime “DJ Surgeon” Castello, RJ “DJ Ray J” Cervantes, and DJ Safraz. In certain respects, Flaco maintains that SDP, is still in the infancy stages of what he’d like to see it grow into. However, a Toronto chapter was recently started and there are plans for continued growth, including hosting more club nights around metro Detroit and producing their own music. “We have a universal style. We can scratch, mix Latin music, American top 40 music, hip hop, etc.” Still, there are countless crews like SDP trying to make it in the music industry, a fact that Flaco is aware of. To stand out, he relies on hard work and staying grounded. “The DJ culture should be like family. Nobody likes an arrogant DJ. I like teaching. If you don’t have any equipment, you can come use mine”- within reason of course. Additionally, Flaco DJs many cultural events and benefits, including activities for the Ste. Anne’s Church Youth Group and the Detroit Hispanic Development Committee, which has helped spread his name. As altruistic as he appears to be, Flaco admits that his favorite place to DJ is in a club. “The best feeling in the world is when you can make the whole crowd move to your music. It’s just a natural high.” Fortunately for him, over the years Flaco has seen his popularity increase and he is quick to acknowledge the support of his family and friends, including George Guzman of Latin Image Productions. Yet, memories of Raquel are never too far behind. Talk to him long enough, and her name invariably comes up.
“She was three years older and she was my role model. I held her in high regard and I’d do anything for her. When I was 12, I joined a gang. She was a part of the same gang, and I left because she left. I got tired of it (the gang lifestyle). She was going to have a baby and I knew that if I stayed in, I wouldn’t make it to see that baby grow up. DJing was one of the reasons I was able to leave without looking back. I got out when I was 18 and a year later she was murdered.” Of course, Flaco wanted to retaliate, especially since he knew the perpetrator of the crime. Fortunately, Raquel’s killer turned himself into the police, which meant he had to find another outlet for his emotions. In addition to refocusing on his music goals, he also decided to become a police officer.
“My sister was shot with a 12 gauge shotgun. I found her in the car with a hole in her chest and one in her head. So I was like I don’t want this to happen to anybody else, I don’t want anybody to go through what I’m going through or my (family) is going through because it’s a lot of mental stress, losing a family member. So what better way to help people out than to prevent stuff like this from happening or arresting the person who does something like that? From that moment on, it was my goal to be a cop.” Flaco is currently on leave, pursuing a degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University. In most instances, it may seem odd for a person to simultaneously pursue careers in law enforcement and DJing, but it makes perfect sense in his case. “In the long run, I want to open up my own club. I still want to be a cop, but music will always be a part of me.”
It’s been a hard road for Flaco, but he still pushes forward, hoping to create an easier path for those who come after him. “DJ Ray J pushed me on. He told me to keep making music, that it would help the healing process. He was right. Along with my step brother, cousin Dario Pantino, and my friends, I was able to over come my sadness.” Flaco also makes it a point to acknowledge his “love interest” Claudia for her support an inspiration. As much as he wants to keep Raquel’s memory alive, Flaco also wants to be known for his skills on the turntables and not merely be an object of pity. He has been approached about spinning at the Pontiac Electronic Music Festival and you can catch him at locations such as the world famous club One X in Detroit. Whether he’s dropping records or patrolling the streets in a police cruiser, Flaco, aka Officer Rivera, is a living testimony that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that people can indeed rise above their circumstances.
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