Updated: March 14, 2026
Name: Erick Morillo
Date of Birth: March 26, 1971
Date of Death: September 1, 2020 (aged 49)
Biography & Career:
Erick Morillo (26 March 1971 – 1 September 2020) was a pioneering Colombian-American house music DJ, music producer and record label owner, best known for the global dance hit “I Like to Move It” with Reel 2 Real. He passed away in Miami Beach at the age of 49, leaving behind a defining legacy in house music and electronic dance culture.
He was widely regarded as one of the leading names in house music. Over the course of his career, Morillo toured the world numerous times, released several highly praised singles, and received many awards, establishing himself as one of the pioneers and legends of the genre.
Based out of New York, he began DJing at local clubs before releasing the techno single ‘Anasthasia’ in 1991 which became a huge hit and was certified Platinum. He continued to remix numerous songs, earning him recognition among the leading artists at the time. His 1993 single ‘I Like to Move It’ firmly established his place amongst DJ royalty and saw him gain significant popularity in Europe.
Morillo collaborated with the likes of Louie Vega and progressed his DJ career in the coming years, becoming a fan favourite in Ibiza, Europe and Australia. He set up Subliminal Records soon after, and the label influenced and launched many DJs’ careers including DJ Sneak and Danny Tenaglia.
Since the turn of the century, Morillo toured the world performing at many of the top clubs and festivals in electronic music. Known for lengthy pure-house sets, he was recognized several times as one of the leading DJs, winning Best House DJ three times in the DJ Awards and winning the Best American DJ award in the International Dance Music Awards 2005, as well as being nominated regularly.
Throughout his career Morillo toured the world performing at many of the top clubs and festivals in electronic music. Known for lengthy pure-house sets he was recognized several times as one of the leading DJs, winning Best House DJ three times in the DJ Awards and winning the Best American DJ award in the International Dance Music Awards 2005, as well as being nominated regularly.
