Reel 2 Real

Erick Morillo, the New York DJ of Columbian and Dominican heritage who fused the driving pulse of Latin-house with reggae rhythms and textures, masterminded Reel 2 Real and produced one of the defining dance tracks of the 1990s, “I Like to Move It,” plus roughly six further British Top 20 successes. He began spinning records in his early teens and later studied production at New York’s Center of Media Arts. After completing remixes for several reggae releases, he joined forces with the toaster known as the General to deliver “Muevelo,” a platinum-selling single that resonated strongly inside Latin communities. The follow-up dancefloor favorite “The New Anthem/Funk Buddha” then attracted the interest of Strictly Rhythm. Once signed to the label and paired with Trinidad-born vocalist Mad Stuntman (aka Mark Quashie), Morillo launched Reel 2 Real and issued the act’s debut single, “I Like to Move It,” in 1993. The track ignited clubs worldwide the next year, resulting in the album Move It!, which performed solidly on the charts and spawned four British hit singles. Morillo maintained his DJ schedule and issued the mix compilation Live & More in early 1996. Before the year ended, Reel 2 Real delivered its second album, Are You Ready for Some More?, featuring vocal contributions from Michael Watford, Barbara Tucker, and Althea McQueen among others. That same year Morillo raised his profile by handling DJ duties for MTV’s Singled Out and collaborated with Latin American heart-throbs Proyecto Uno on the Cuban barnstormer “Mueve la Cadera.”