Erick Morillo Net Worth

What was Erick Morillo's Net Worth?

Erick Morillo was a DJ and record producer who had a net worth of $25 million. Erick Morillo was best known for his international work in house music for the label Strictly Rhythm. Through his hip hop house project Reel 2 Real, he had his biggest commercial hit with the 1993 single "I Like to Move It," which launched him to international renown. Morillo used a variety of different pseudonyms during his career, including Smooth Touch, Ministers de la Funk, Club Ultimate, and RBM, and hosted popular club nights around the world.

Early Life and Education

Erick Morillo was born on March 26, 1971 in New York City. He spent much of his childhood in Cartagena, Colombia, where he became fond of salsa and merengue music. At the age of 11, Morillo moved back to the United States and lived with his mother Elisa and sister Sheila in Union City, New Jersey. Shortly after the move, he began deejaying at weddings for family and friends. Morillo was educated at Saint Joseph and Michael's School and Emerson High School.

Music Career

In New Jersey, Morillo deejayed at various local clubs. At a club one day, he met Latin reggae star El General, with whom he became good friends. The pair subsequently collaborated on the 1991 single "Muevelo," which combined reggae and house music styles while sampling T99's single "Anasthasia." It was a surprise hit, and was certified Platinum. Morillo's popularity in Latin clubs grew due to further remixes he made. He became even more well-known when he began collaborating with house music veteran Louie Vega. In 1993, under the name of his hip hop house project Reel 2 Real, Morillo scored commercial hits with the singles "The New Anthem" and "I Like to Move It," the latter of which became an international dance sensation, launching Morillo to stardom. He responded by recording the album "Move It!," which was released in 1994. Despite his success with Reel 2 Real, Morillo felt his project was hurting his street credibility. Consequently, he launched a new label and released the song "Jazz it Up." Morillo abandoned the Reel 2 Real brand in 1996 after the release of the album "Are You Ready for Some More?," and focused on his producing and global deejaying career.

In 1997, Morillo partnered with Christina Pazzanese and launched Subliminal Records and Subliminal Management. He sought to rebuild his image through the brand, which made its focus "ghetto music." The first single from the label was "Fun," which reached number one on the Billboard dance chart when it was recorded by Jocelyn Brown with the house collaboration known as Da Mob. Through Subliminal, Morillo helped bring attention to such artists as Carl Kennedy, Eddie Thoneick, and DJ DLG. He went on to boost his international profile by hosting buzzy club nights in cities around the world, including London, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Belfast. Among Morillo's most renowned events were his Subliminal Sessions parties in Ibiza, Spain at the club Pacha. In 2004, Morillo released his first album using his real name, "My World." It features a collaboration with Sean Combs, as well as various other artists.

Honors and Awards

For his prodigious deejaying, Morillo earned several honors and awards. He won the DJ Award for Best House DJ three times (1998, 2001, 2003) and for Best International DJ three times (2002, 2005, 2006). Morillo earned nine other nominations over the years. His club nights in Ibiza also resulted in an honor from Muzik magazine for 2001's "Best Ibiza Party."

Sexual Assault Allegations

In the summer of 2020, Morillo was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a woman. The incident had allegedly occurred in late 2019, when the accuser claimed Morillo had raped her in his Miami Beach home after she got drunk and passed out in his bedroom. Although he denied the accusation, Morillo turned himself into police on the advice of his lawyer. Morillo was due for a court appearance in early September, but was found dead in his home three days before the date. Shortly after his death, multiple other women came forward with accounts of being sexually assaulted or raped by Morillo.

Death

On September 1, 2020, Morillo was found deceased in his home in Miami Beach. According to a preliminary report a little over a month later, the cause of death was accidental acute ketamine toxicity compounded by use of cocaine and MDMA. Morillo was 49 years of age.

Real Estate

For the last years of his life, Erick owned a home in the Hollywood Hills that cost $7.6 million. After his death, Erick's estate put the property on the market for $8 million. The home sold one month later for $8.9 million.

Erick also owned a home in Miami which he bought in February 2005 for $1.87 million. This home, which was also sold in March 2021, for $3.725 million.