DJ Erick Morillo, creator of the hit “I Like to Move It”, was found dead at his home Tuesday in Miami Beach, Florida, a few days before a hearing in a sexual assault case.
The police officers who attended the scene did not find any clues that could suggest a violent death, a spokesperson for the Miami Beach police told AFP about the 49-year-old man.
He said, however, that it would be up to the forensic institute to conduct an autopsy and draw all the conclusions.
Born in New York and raised part of his childhood in Colombia, Erick Morillo first became known under the pseudonym Reel 2 Real, which he used to create the track “I Like to Move It” in 1993.
Although originally the song, he only makes very brief appearances in the video, leaving the field open to Trinidadian singer Mark Quashie, known as The Mad Stuntman.
In perfect harmony with the Eurodance wave, marked by hits like “No Limit” (2 Unlimited) or “Everybody Everybody” (Black Box), the title has enjoyed a great career in Europe.
He was notably number one in France and the Netherlands. The hit was later reintroduced to a new generation in the soundtrack of the animated film “Madagascar”, from DreamWorks studio.
After the dissolution of Reel 2 Real, Erick Morillo pursued a career as a recognized DJ, in the world of house music in particular.
Erick Morillo was expected in court on Friday in connection with a sexual assault case.
The alleged victim claims to have been raped in her sleep at the DJ’s house after a party in December. The latter’s DNA was found on samples taken from this woman.
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