Erick Morillo is a New York-born house and electronic music producer, DJ and record label owner. He is active in international house music and works under a number of aliases, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang. He dies in 2020.

Early life and background

Morillo is born in New York City and raised in Colombia and Union City, New Jersey. He attends grammar school at Saint Joseph's and Michael's School, a private Catholic school. His early musical background includes Latin rhythms, reggae and hip hop.

DJ work and production

He begins DJing at age eleven on the local party circuit and also plays weddings for family and friends. After seeing a television commercial for New York City's Center for the Media Arts, he enrols to study audio engineering. While working at a club in Weehawken, he meets Latin reggae artist El General, and the two become friends.

In 1992, Morillo and El General release the single "Muevelo", which blends reggae, house music and a sample from T99's techno track "Anesthasia". The record goes platinum, and Morillo's productions and remixes become familiar in Latin club music. He also first deejays at Foxes nightclub in Jersey City through an introduction from local DJ Frankie Fingers.

Reel 2 Real and house music

Morillo is best known for his work in house music, especially for Strictly Rhythm and for the 1993 hit "I Like to Move It", released under the name Reel 2 Real. The track appears in commercials, films and ringtones. He also becomes friends with singer-songwriter Marc Anthony, who introduces him to Little Louie Vega, and Vega advises him to focus on vocals.

Aliases and projects

He produces under several names and projects, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang. He is also associated with Subliminal Records. Other named groups linked with him include Da Mob, Reel 2 Real, The Pianoheadz and Sympho Nympho.