Erick Morillo is a popular DJ, musician and producer. He was the owner of Subliminal Records and a resident of Ministry of Sound. His immortal hit I Like to Move It still sounds from different parts of the world. The news that the artist passed away on September 1, 2020 shocked fans.
Morillo is a house style legend. Eric was a three-time winner of the DJ Awards "Best House DJ" in 1998, 2001 and 2003. And he was also three times the winner of the award in the nomination "Best International DJ".
Childhood and youth of Eric Morillo
Eric Morillo was born on March 26, 1971 in the small Colombian town of Santa Marta. Almost nothing is known about the childhood of the star. Eric became interested in music in his youth, he carried the love of creativity throughout his life.
As a child, Morillo was genuinely delighted with Latin American rhythms, reggae and hip-hop. Already at the age of 11, the guy played at local parties and special occasions.
Thanks to the support of Marc Anthony, Eric got into the house party. Then the young musician bought the necessary equipment and began to create professional tracks. Eric sent his first works to two labels - Nervous and Strictly Rhythm.
Despite his obvious talent, Morillo's work lacked drive. The tracks were too "raw" for label organizers to see a promising musician in Morillo. But this situation changed after the label Strictly received from Eric the composition The New Anthem, signed under the pseudonym Reel 2 Real.
Then the musician presented the immortal hit I Like to Move It. The song became "platinum" in the Netherlands, "gold" - in Britain, Germany, France and Belgium.
After the presentation of the composition, Eric Morillo went on his first European tour. He has received several titles from Billboard and other prestigious awards. After the increase in popularity, the musician was finally convinced that he wanted to work as a DJ. In total, he has released over 45 singles and many remixes.
About Reel 2 Real
Reel 2 Real is the brainchild of Eric Morillo and Mad Stuntman. The musician dreamed of combining the energy of Latin American house with the rhythm of reggae. At first he was remixing several songs in the reggae style. Then he worked with singer El General on the single Muevelo, which went platinum.
The musician, in addition to the legendary song I Like To Move It, released several more incendiary tracks. After the presentation of the composition The New Anthem / Funk Buddha, Morillo became interested in the major label Strictly Rhythm. Actually, Eric signed a contract with this company.
Over the years of creative activity, the band has released several studio albums:
- Move It! (1994);
- Reel 2 Remixed (1995);
- Are You Ready for Some More? (1996).
Produced and labeled by DJ Erick Morillo
In 1997, Eric Morillo (with the participation of friends, colleagues in the scene) created the Subliminal Records label.
The label was so successful that in the early 2000s it was named "Label of the Year" by the Music Awards. His sub-labels Sondos, Subliminal Soul, Bambossa and Subusa released compositions of various genres.
Eric Morillo did not leave his favorite pastime. He combined the work of a DJ with studio recordings. In addition to hosting Sessions parties in New York, he brought Subliminal to the public by hosting events such as the annual Crobar party during the "Winter Conference".
A year later, Subliminal Sessions at Pacha received the title of "Best Parties in Ibiza". The year 2004 was marked by the receipt of the prize in the Best Night nomination of the glossy edition of Mixmag.
In addition to producing the Reel 2 Real project, Eric released many other hits that came out under creative pseudonyms:
- Ministers De la Funk;
- The Dronez;
- RAW;
- smooth touch;
- RMB;
- Deep Soul;
- Club Ultimate;
- Li'l Mo Ying Yang.
Allegations of sexual assault
On August 7, 2020, the singer was detained by the police on charges of sexual assault against an unfamiliar woman. The first mention of this event was made in The Guardian newspaper.
The woman who accused Eric Morillo of rape said that she met the musician at a private party in Miami. After the “hangout”, the girl, along with the star, went to his house. There, the DJ began to show her signs of attention, but she refused the man in sexual pleasures.
Morillo and his companion were under the influence of alcohol. The woman went into another room, where she soon fell asleep. When she woke up, she found herself lying on a bunk naked and Eric standing over her, who was without underwear.
The 49-year-old DJ has denied allegations of having a sexual relationship with a woman. However, as a result of the medical examination, it turned out that young people still had sexual relations. Morillo was detained by police but later released on bail. A trial in this case has been scheduled for September 4, 2020.
Death of Erick Morillo
American-Colombian DJ and producer Erick Morillo was found dead on September 1, 2020 in his home in Miami. The exact cause of the death of the star has not yet been established. However, investigators said that so far they rule out violent death.
