DJ Eric Morillo – famous for his 1993 hit song I Like To Move It – has been found dead in Florida.
The body of the 49-year-old musician was found on a property Miami Beach this morning, according to police.
Its 1993 classic, Reel 2 Real, is standing the test of time, featuring ads, movies and ringtones over the years.
Miami Police Officer Ernesto Rodriguez said: “We received 911 calls this morning from 10.42 to 5660 La Gores Drive.
“Detectives are currently on the scene and are in the early stages of an investigation.”
On August 6, Morillo was arrested and charged with sexual assault against a woman, another DJ, who worked with him in December 2019 at a private party on a typical Miami Island.
He then went to his Miami Beach home with another woman and Morillo claimed that “some progress was made towards him, some was of a sexual nature, but he rejected all his efforts”.
Among those paying tribute on social media was Jersey Shore star DJ Paulie D: “Sad News ?? A True Legend. Eric Morillo RIP.”
DJ Yusuf said: “Can’t believe it. Just talked to him last week …. He was in trouble, less than perfect but always surprised me and helped us to go to the circus in the early days, and We had a lot of surprises.We have been doing it for 20 years [sic] Friends. Intestinal bowels in the true sense. RIP @ Ericmorillo. “
Morillo at a pre-party for his Voodoo Nights in Hollywood in 2010
Born in New York, Morillo spent most of his early years in the United States, New Jersey, moving to the U.S. at the age of 11 to live with his mother and sister. Before returning, Cartagena, Colombia, spent time there.
He started dijing at the young age of 11 while attending a private grammar school in a wedding for friends and family.
The Colombian-American DJ made music under a number of different instruments, including Reel 2 Real for I Like to Move It, which peaked at number 5 on the UK singles chart in 1994.
The song became an international dance hit and Morillo flew between Europe and the US weekly to tap MTV Europe, making him a millionaire.
He released the full-length album, Move It! Followed by Single Up, which performed particularly well in the UK.
In recent years, the song has maintained its popularity since appearing in the popular Madagascar film franchise.
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Despite the song’s roaring success, Morillo feared it would damage his creative drive and street credibility so new music was produced under the Eric Morillo project, which became a favorite on DJ circuits in Ibiza, Europe and J Australia.
Morillo was a three-time Best International DJ winner in 2002, 2006 and 2009, receiving a total of 15 nominations since 1998.
He later set up his own management company with four other DJs and producers and his own imprint, Sublime Records – which he described as “ghetto music with class too”.
In 2013, Morillo had to leave the stage in Long Island after 45 minutes due to “irregular behavior”, appearing to realize when he started and leaving the stage together on a loop at one point.
He later said he would take a break and “turn my attention back to my health and well-being.”
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