Background Information on Erick Morillo- Wikipedia/ Official Website

Primary Sources of Information: 

http://www.wikipedia.org/

http://erickmorillo.com/

Birth name	Erick Michael Morillo
Born	1971 (age 41–42) New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Dance, House Electronic
Occupation	Disk Jockey, Producer
Instrument	Turntable, Sample
Years active	1982–present
Labels	Strictly Rhythm, Subliminal Records
Website	www.erickmorillo.com

Erick Morillo is a Columbian- American DJ, music producer and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang, Morillo is best known for his international work in house music, in particular for the label Strictly Rhythm, and the 1993 hit " I Like to Move it", which he produced under the pseudonym Reel 2, and which was featured in commercials, movies and ringtones. His label Subliminal Records has produced the #1 Billboard  Hot Dance Music/ Club Play hit "Fun" by Da Mob, and won the Muzik Magazine Remixer of the Year award in 1999. Subliminal also brought attention to artists like Eddie Thoneick, Carl Kennedy and DJ DLG.

Awards

On October 12, 2012, Morillo's former home town of Union City, New Jersey honored him in a ceremony in which the portion of Bergenline Avenue between 14th and 15th Street, where Morillo lived as a youth, was dedicated "Erick Morillo Way". Union City Mayor Stack praised Morillo, who donated 100 Nook tablets to a local school, by commenting, "It's important to recognize those in the community who contribute to our hometown," Union City Mayor Brian Stack said. "We can all be proud to call Erick a part of our community.

From Reel 2 Real to Subliminal

Despite being believed to have made over $2 million from Reel 2 Real, Morillo feared that his financial success may have hurt both his creative drive and his street credibility. Wanting to create respectable house music, he produced "Jazz It Up", launching it under the label of the Erick Morillo Project, in order to ensure street credibility. The song did well, and boosted his confidence. He and Louie Vega collaborated as Lil' Mo' Ying Yang and released the 1995 single "Reach". Morillo intended a third album for Reel to Real, but his relationship with the Mad Stuntman soured, which derailed the project. Searching for a way to reinvent himself, Morillo attended The Forum, a self- help seminar in New York City, where he gained insight into finding happiness through things other than wealth and his frantic work schedule. The seminar also enabled him to escape his creative rut by helping him analyze his past and set future goals, one of which was to become a successful global DJ. He abandoned the Reel 2 Real alias in 1996, and concentrated on DJing, becoming a favourite in Ibiza , Europe and Australia.

''I party with the promoters I play for. A lot of DJs don't like to do that; they play the party, go back to the hotel and then get ready to go home. Not me. I don't deny it! For me a DJ is someone who brings a vibe. If you don't party, then how do you bring that vibe?"