Erick Morillo: The House Music Legend

Erick Morillo is a house music legend. He has been a pioneer in the genre, helping to shape the sound and style that is now known around the world. In this blog post, we take a look at his life and career, and how he has become one of the most influential figures in dance music.

Early Life and Career

Erick Morillo was born in New York City on March 26, 1971, of Colombian and Dominican descent. He began his career as a DJ in the late 1980s, playing sets at local New York City clubs such as the Palladium and the Loft. Morillo’s big break came in 1991, when he was asked to play at one of David Morales’s parties.

Morillo’s musical beginnings

Morillo’s musical beginnings started in his parents’ native Colombia where he was exposed to a wide variety of music, including traditional Colombian music, salsa and cumbia. When he was six years old, his family moved to New Jersey in the United States. He started playing the piano at age eight and took up drums during his teenage years. In high school, he formed a band called RAW with classmate Karl ‘Kajmere’ Jordan Jr., which became successful in the local club scene. The duo went on to produce a number of club hits under various aliases, including Reel 2 Real, which scored a platinum-selling global hit with ‘I Like to Move It’.

His first big break

Erick Morillo’s first big break came when he was just 16 years old. He was approached by a prominent New York DJ who was impressed by his skills and offered him a residency at one of the city’s biggest clubs. From there, Morillo’s career took off and he quickly became one of the most in-demand DJs in the world.

Throughout his career, Morillo has remained at the forefront of the electronic music scene. He was one of the first DJs to embrace EDM (electronic dance music) and has championed its rise to global popularity. In recent years, he has been credited with helping to bring house music back to its roots, with a focus on soulful melodies and organic grooves.

Today, Morillo is as popular as ever and continues to perform all over the world. He is also a successful producer, with several hit tracks to his name.

The 1990s

In the 1990s, Erick Morillo was one of the most popular house music DJs in the world. He was known for his high-energy performances and his ability to get the crowd moving. He was also a prolific producer, remixer, and label owner. Morillo was a true pioneer of the house music scene and his contributions helped to shape the sound of the genre.

Morillo’s biggest hits

“I Like to Move It” is a song co-written and recorded by Reel 2 Reel (Erick Morillo, Neil Pierce and Mark Quashie). It was released in 1994 as the lead single from their album I Like to Move It. The song was a hit in Europe, reaching number one in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in May 1995.

In 1993, Morillo and friends were signed to Strictly Rhythm records. That year they released “I Like to Move It”, which entered the Top Ten in several European countries—including reaching number one in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands and Spain—and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. In 1994, they released their debut album, I Like to Move It.

Their next single, “Funky Green Dogs From Outer Space”, became a club hit in the United States. In 1996, they had a second UK hit with “The Boom Boom Boom”.

His influence on the house music scene

Erick Morillo is a legendary figure in the world of house music. Born in New York City in 1971, he was exposed to a wide range of musical genres at an early age, including salsa, hip hop, and disco. He began DJing in the late 1980s and quickly developed a reputation for his unique ability to weave together these disparate styles into a cohesive whole.

In the early 1990s, Morillol helped to define the sound of house music with his groundbreaking work as a producer and DJ. He was instrumental in popularizing the subgenre of tribal house, which combined elements of Latin American and African rhythms with traditional four-on-the-floor house beats. His 1993 track “I Like to Move It” became an international smash hit, topping dance charts around the world and bringing Morillo’s unique style of house music to a wider audience.

Today, Morillo continues to perform and produce music that pushes boundaries and defies genre expectations. He remains one of the most influential figures in house music, inspiring countless DJs and producers who have followed in his footsteps.

Later Career

After a few years of commercial success, Morillo turned his back on the mainstream and returned to his underground roots, this time as a producer of underground house tracks rather than as a DJ. In 2006, he launched his own label, Subliminal Records.

Morillo’s continued success

Erick Morillo continued to produce music throughout the 2010s and 2020s, releasing tracks on major labels such as Spinnin’ Records, Toolroom, and Ultra. In 2019, he launched his own label, Subliminal Soul, with the aim of promoting new talent in the house music scene. His most recent album, ‘The Awakening’, was released in 2020.

Morillo has also been a successful DJ, playing at some of the world’s biggest clubs and festivals. In 2018, he was ranked at #22 in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll. He continues to perform regularly, with upcoming shows scheduled for 2021.

His philanthropic work

Erick Morillo has been actively engaged in philanthropic work throughout his career. In 2006, he established the Subliminal Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides financial assistance and recreational opportunities for underprivileged children in his hometown of New York City.

The following year, Morillo was honoured with the International Dance Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry for his charitable work. In 2009, he was presented with the first ever Steve Reich Award for Electronic Music at TEDxSoho in London.

In 2010, Morillo was awarded the Legend Award at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. The award is presented to an artist who has made a significant contribution to the dance music industry and who has inspired other artists throughout their career.

In 2012, Morillo received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Miami Herald. The award recognises an individual who has made a lasting impact on the South Florida community through their work in the arts, business or philanthropy.

Legacy

Erick Morillo was a house music legend who was best known for his song “I Like to Move It.” He was a pioneer in the genre and helped to shape the sound of house music. He was a DJ and producer who was loved by many. Morillo was found dead at his home in Miami Beach, Florida at the age of 49. The cause of death is still unknown.

Morillo’s impact on house music

Erick Morillo was one of the most influential house music producers and DJs of his generation. His track “I Like to Move It” was a global hit and helped to popularize the genre of house music. Morillo was born in New York City in 1971, and he began DJing at the age of 13. He quickly became a successful club DJ, playing at some of the biggest clubs in New York City. In the early 1990s, Morillo started producing his own tracks, and his first release, “The Forbidden City”, was an instant hit. He went on to produce a number of other tracks that were equally successful, and he became one of the most in-demand DJs in the world. Morillo continued to produce and perform until his untimely death in 2020. His legacy will continue to live on through his music, which has inspired countless other DJs and producers.

His influence on electronic dance music

Erick Morillo’s influence on electronic dance music is undeniable. For more than two decades, the Colombian-American DJ and producer has helped shape the sound of dance music with his signature brand of house music.

Morillo’s style is a unique blend of Latin rhythms, disco grooves, and deep house beats that has made him one of the most successful DJs in the world. His hits “I Like to Move It,” “Reach,” and “Been There Done That” are classics that have been played by DJs all over the world.

In addition to his solo work, Morillo is also responsible for some of electronic dance music’s most iconic tracks as a member of the duo Reel 2 Real. The duo’s 1994 hit “I Like to Move It” is one of the most well-known dance songs of all time and has been used in countless movies and television shows.

Morillo’s influence on electronic dance music is evident in the success of his label Subliminal Records. The label has launched the careers of many successful house DJs and producers including Steve Lawler, Danny Tenaglia, and Pete Tong.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Morillo has become one of the most respected DJs in the world. His unique style and ability to cross genres has made him an icon in the electronic dance music community.