World championship titles, talent competitions or public awards were definitely not what the Quick boys had in mind when they first entered the dance floor in 2004. Nor did they consider a dance studio of their own as very likely, or the fact that they have strongly contributed to dancing becoming a very popular activity in Norway. They were not even convinced that they wanted to dance, even when realizing that only girls attended the dance lessons at the X-Ray youth club in Oslo. It was simply embarrassing to tell the other boys at school that they spent every free moment dancing. Fortunately they did not give up.

Quick was started by Nasir Sirikhan (b. 1991) and the twins Bilal and Suleman Malik (b. 1991) when they met at Lindeberg school in Oslo in 2004. The final boy to join the group was Kim Daniel Eriksen (b. 1990). Up to then the boys had frequented X-Ray as often as possible. Their dream was to dance together with the notable group Dancing Youth, an institution in Norwegian dance, now celebrating their 30th anniversary. With a fixed intent and tremendously inspired by the gifted teachers at X-Ray Quick formed its own hip hop dance. Quickstyle.

During the past few years hip hop dance has developed enormously with an increasing number of fans and Quick has, during their last six years, undergone big changes with regard to their dancing. Having attended classes tutored by the head choreographer of Justin Timberlake, Marty Kudelka, the group developed a special lyrical dance style, which has later become more technical and sound oriented, inspired by, amongst others, the Japanese dance group Prepix. Quick at an early stage started to choreograph their own dances.

However, to become masters, also dancers have to practice. The boys’ first performances were not particularly glamorous but were mostly birthday parties, Christmas balls, school dances and local competitions. Only in 2007, when the twins Malik won the Norwegian Championship (NM) as a duo and as a group advanced in the culture mustering for youths (UKM) did they realize their own potential. 2008 thus became the year of Quick’s break-through: 1st prize in UKM, NM-victory as hip hop group and World Championship (VM) for the twins as a duo. The final step from dance studio to limelight had been taken. Still, what’s next?

Although individual members of the group were successful on their own, Quick was determined to commit themselves as a group. After some toing and froing they agreed on participating in “Norway’s Got Talent”. The group admits, however, that they did so in a carefree manner, the dance performance being quickly choreographed and tested in the queue outside the audition premises. Their purpose was to make the ultimate show and succeed as the best dance performers. Had they known...

When Quick was awarded 1st price in “Norway’s Got Talent” on 8th May, 2009, the protagonists were nearly as surprised as everybody else. For the very first time a dance group had made it to the top in a nationwide talent contest. They were awarded a car as well as NOK 300.000 but more importantly, Quick was on everybody’s lips. The telephone rang non-stop and from day one their first shows around the country were booked. A very busy time lay ahead. The whole nation wanted a part of the group and on certain days as many as three shows were pulled off. They became guests on the very popular Top 20-tour and youngsters all over Norway got the chance to see Quick “live”. Also this was the first time that a dance show was admitted to the tour. Their most popular feature, the so-called “China show”, has had more than hundred thousand views on YouTube.

The group has achieved a popularity which few Norwegian dance groups can match. Amongst others they were invited by the TV 2 programme “Strictly Come Dancing” to assist as choreographers and to kick off the programme itself with a homage to Michael Jackson. As part of the successful TV hit “Thursday Night at Nydalen” the boys once more could put on their Asia costumes and act as ninjas. Moreover, Quick will also show their acrobatic skills in the coming film, “Norwegian Ninja”.

2008 may have been a break-through year for Quick, but 2009 proved to be even more successful. As a group, solo and as a duo they cleared the table in NM. In VM a third place was conquered by Bilal and Suleman Malik as duo, whilst Suleman won a strong silver medal as soloist – the best place ever obtained by a Norwegian. Likewise they were successful as to awards. As the first hip hop group they received the “People’s Prize” at the Dance Awards 2009 as well as Danseforbundet’s “Dance rose” for their achievement to promote dancing to a large public. An honour bestowed on Barack Obama the preceding year! Suleman was also rewarded an honorary award from the municipality of Oslo for his VM effort, handed to him by the mayor at a ceremonial arrangement in Oslo City Hall.

In 2010 the active, to put it mildly, boys have started their own dance studio, “Quickstyle studio” in Oslo, offering a much sought after tutoring to other dancers. The studio also provides a wide variety of dance classes, from children groups to advanced pupils and has proved the boys’ qualifications as instructors as well. A group of their pupils won the UKM this year and has participated in the final of “Norway's Got talent”. Strongly desiring to convey their knowledge, the Quickstyle studio has become a place of meeting for young aspiring dancers. In 2010 Quick, as the first dance group in the world, also signed with Sony Music, with whom they will be extensively cooperating as to bookings and DVD releases.

But there is more dancing to be done. Both EM and VM lie ahead, not to mention their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest final in Oslo. Quick will develop further their individual style as well as giving priority to the group and community. Their goal is to cultivate some of Europe’s best hip hop dancers and make dance known to as many as possible. And the very best is? They have just about started...