Erick Morillo

The 1993 hit "I Like to Move It," produced under the pseudonym Reel 2 Real, became a global dance staple that propelled Erick Morillo to international prominence. Born in New York City in 1971, Morillo balanced a prolific career as a disc jockey, record producer, and composer, eventually becoming a fixture in the electronic music scene.

Early Development and Education

Morillo spent his pre-teen years in Cartagena, Colombia, where he developed an appreciation for salsa and merengue. He returned to the United States at age 11, residing in Union City, New Jersey. His early interest in music included hip hop and reggae. He graduated from Saint Joseph and Michael's School in 1985 before completing his secondary education at Emerson High School in 1989. He later pursued studio engineering at the Center for the Media Arts in New York City.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

The Rise of Reel 2 Real

Collaborating with Latin reggae artist El General, Morillo released the platinum-selling single "Muevelo" in 1991. He subsequently focused on house music, releasing "The New Anthem" and "Funky Buddha" through Strictly Rhythm. The success of "I Like to Move It" led to the 1994 album Move It! and a period of intensive global promotion. He eventually abandoned the Reel 2 Real alias in 1996 to focus on DJing and house music production.

Subliminal Records and Industry Impact

In 1997, Morillo co-founded Subliminal Records with Christina Pazzanese, alongside collaborators José Nunez and Harry Choo Choo Romero. The label found early success with the track "Fun" by Da Mob, which topped the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The trio, known as the Dronez, received the Muzik magazine Remixer of the Year award in 1999. Morillo was recognized as "Best House DJ" three times by the DJ Awards.

Final Years

Throughout the early 2000s, Morillo maintained a global touring schedule and hosted numerous club events, including the Subliminal Sessions series. He earned three additional DJ Awards for "Best International DJ" between 2002 and 2009. Morillo died in Miami Beach in 2020 at the age of 49, three days prior to a scheduled court appearance regarding rape charges.

Fast facts

Born: 1971, New York City
Died: 2020, Miami Beach
Citizenship: United States; Colombia
Education: Emerson High School
Notable Group: Reel 2 Real
Key Hit: I Like to Move It
DJ Award Wins: 6 (cumulative)

Questions readers ask

What pseudonyms did Erick Morillo use for his productions?

He worked under several names, including Reel 2 Real, Ministers de la Funk, the Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate, and Li'l Mo Ying Yang.