I Like to Move It
"I Like to Move It" is a 1993 electronic dance song by American producer Erick Morillo's project Reel 2 Real, featuring ragga vocals from Trinidad and Tobago rapper The Mad Stuntman (Mark Quashie).[1] Released on the Strictly Rhythm label, the track blends house music with reggae influences and became a defining club anthem of the 1990s.[2] Its infectious energy propelled it to international success, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[3][4] The song originated as part of Morillo's efforts to create upbeat dance tracks during the early house music boom in New York.[5] Produced and mixed by Morillo himself, it features a runtime of approximately 3:52 in its radio edit and was first issued as a vinyl single before appearing on the 1994 album Move It!.[1] Initially a hit in Europe—reaching number one in Austria and Belgium—it gained broader recognition in the US through compilations like the Jock Jams series.[4][6] "I Like to Move It" experienced a significant revival in popular culture with its prominent feature in DreamWorks' 2005 animated film Madagascar, where it is performed by Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julian, leading to over 200 million YouTube views for related clips and cementing its status as a party staple.[7] The track has been remixed numerous times, including versions for the Madagascar soundtrack, and influenced subsequent dance and crossover hits.[8] Morillo, who passed away in 2020 at age 49, is remembered through this enduring work as a pioneer in blending electronic and Caribbean sounds.[5]Background and production
Origins and development
Erick Morillo, a Colombian-American DJ and producer, was born in New York City and raised between Colombia and Union City, New Jersey. He began DJing at the age of twelve, captivated by the turntable techniques of hip-hop DJs in the New York club scene and drawing influences from Latin rhythms, reggae, and hip-hop music.[9] To hone his skills, Morillo enrolled in an audio engineering course at the Center for Media Arts, where he learned sequencing and studio production techniques essential for his future work.[9] Early in his career, he collaborated with producers Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez of Masters at Work on tracks like "Ride on the Rhythm," gaining exposure in New York's burgeoning house music underground.[9] In the early 1990s, Morillo launched Reel 2 Real as his primary house music project with the debut single "The New Anthem" in 1992, initially operating it as a solo endeavor featuring his own vocals as Erick Moore to explore high-energy dance tracks suited for club environments.[10] The project emerged from Morillo's desire to fuse house beats with vocal elements inspired by the diverse sounds of New York's nightlife, including reggae and rap influences prevalent in the city's diverse club culture.[9] "The New Anthem," released through the influential New York label Strictly Rhythm, quickly established Morillo's reputation in the house scene, setting the stage for more ambitious collaborations.[11] A pivotal partnership formed in early 1993 when Morillo connected with Trinidadian-born rapper Mark Quashie, known professionally as The Mad Stuntman, who was introduced to him by Panamanian reggae artist El General.[12] Quashie, born in 1967 in Trinidad and Tobago and later based in Brooklyn, New York, developed his Mad Stuntman persona inspired by the 1980s television series The Fall Guy, embodying an energetic, stuntman-like stage presence that complemented dance tracks. Their first collaboration was on Reel 2 Real's "Go On Move," released in January 1993, where Quashie provided ragga vocals. This was followed by the more successful single "I Like to Move It" later in 1993, where Quashie contributed dynamic ragga vocals over Morillo's house production, blending reggae-infused rap with pulsating beats to create an infectious club anthem.[5] These collaborations marked a key evolution for the project, highlighting Quashie's role in infusing vocal energy that propelled the tracks from underground experimentation to international recognition.[13]Recording and personnel
The track "I Like to Move It" was produced by Erick Morillo in 1993 under his Reel 2 Real project, blending house rhythms with ragga rap elements at a tempo of 123 beats per minute. Morillo, who had studied audio engineering in New York City, handled the core production, including layering percussive beats and incorporating a vocal sample from Sylvester's 1978 disco hit "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)." The recording process emphasized Morillo's hands-on approach, utilizing drum programming and keyboard elements to create the song's energetic, dancefloor-ready foundation.[14][15][16] Vocals were performed by Trinidadian rapper Mark Quashie, performing as The Mad Stuntman, whose energetic delivery and ad-libs were captured during sessions and integrated into the mix. Post-production, including final mixing and mastering, was completed by Morillo in time for the track's release later that year on the Strictly Rhythm label. No additional session musicians are credited beyond Morillo's contributions on keyboards and drum programming.[1][17]Personnel
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Producer, Mixing, Keyboards, Drum Programming | Erick "More" Morillo |
| Vocals | The Mad Stuntman (Mark Quashie) |
Release and promotion
Initial release
"I Like to Move It" was first commercially released as a 12-inch vinyl single in the United States in October 1993 through Strictly Rhythm Records, a prominent New York-based house music label.[19] The signing with Strictly Rhythm facilitated the track's entry into the American dance music market, where it debuted under the catalog number SR12192.[20] This initial format included various mixes tailored for club and radio play, with side A featuring the Erick "More" Club Mix (5:45) and Radio Edit (3:32), while side B contained the Reel 2 Real Dub (5:00) and "More's" Instrumental (4:35).[20] The single quickly gained traction through targeted promotion in key house music hubs, receiving early airplay on radio stations and heavy rotation in clubs across Miami and New York, where Strictly Rhythm's influence was strong.[21] This grassroots push in the underground scene helped build momentum for the track before its broader international exposure.[17] In early 1994, the song saw its European rollout via Positiva Records in the United Kingdom, expanding to include CD single formats alongside vinyl.[1] The UK release, dated late January 1994, featured remixes such as the UK Vocal House Remix by Judge Jules and Michael Skins, broadening its appeal to the burgeoning rave and club culture.[22][23]Marketing strategies
The promotion of "I Like to Move It" by Reel 2 Real, produced by Erick Morillo under the Strictly Rhythm label, heavily relied on targeted outreach to club DJs in the burgeoning house and dance music scenes across the United States and Europe. Morillo and the label's A&R team, including Gladys Pizarro, distributed promotional copies (whites) directly to influential DJs at key venues like New York's Sound Factory and European clubs, leveraging personal networks to build underground buzz before mainstream crossover. This DJ-focused strategy capitalized on the track's energetic ragga-house fusion, encouraging early adoption in club sets that amplified its word-of-mouth appeal within the dance community.[24][25] To expand reach beyond clubs, Strictly Rhythm issued remix packages tailored for radio and broader audiences, featuring versions like the Radio Edit and Erick "More" Club Mix alongside UK Vocal House Remix by Judge Jules and Michael Skins. These edits were sent to radio stations for airplay consideration, shortening the track's runtime and refining its vocal elements to suit Top 40 formats while preserving the core dance groove. This approach helped transition the song from niche house playlists to commercial radio, particularly in the UK and Europe, where remixes boosted its accessibility.[26][22] Given the label's independent status and limited resources as a New York-based startup founded in 1989, marketing efforts emphasized grassroots tactics amid budget constraints, including low-cost flyers distributed at clubs and reliance on organic word-of-mouth from DJ endorsements. Complementing this, tie-ins with early 1990s dance compilations like Strictly Rhythm House Classics 1990-1996 and live appearances on music TV programs such as Top of the Pops in March and April 1994 further extended its visibility to wider audiences.[27][28][29][30]Music and lyrics
Composition
"I Like to Move It" blends Eurodance and house genres with reggae rap influences, driven by an upbeat tempo of 123 beats per minute and a classic four-on-the-floor rhythm that underscores its club-oriented energy.[15][31] The track employs a standard verse-chorus structure, opening with an intro that incorporates a synth melody sampled from Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," which provides a flute-like motif leading into the verses and escalating to the infectious, repetitive hook "I like to move it."[14][32] Composed in F minor, the song features prominent synth bass lines, crisp hi-hats, and electronic keyboards that contribute to its lively, danceable arrangement, with breakdowns designed to heighten the track's momentum on the dance floor.[15][33][31] The original radio mix runs for 3:52, balancing concise verses with extended hook repetitions to maintain high energy throughout.[15] Produced by Erick Morillo under the Reel 2 Real moniker, the final version evolved from initial demos by integrating ragga vocals from Trinidadian performer The Mad Stuntman (Mark Quashie) over a fusion of calypso rhythms and techno elements, refining the track for optimal club playability and broad appeal.[31]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "I Like to Move It" center on encouraging listeners to dance and party, with the core theme encapsulated in the simple, repetitive chorus phrase "I like to move it, move it," functioning as an infectious call-to-action for physical movement and enjoyment.[34] This direct imperative reflects the song's focus on immediate fun rather than complex storytelling, aligning with its role as a high-energy dance track.[4] Delivered in a humorous and energetic ragga style by The Mad Stuntman, the verses incorporate playful slang and ad-libs like "uno move it" and "nice 'n sweet 'n sexy," while admiring women's graceful and confident body movements on the dance floor.[34] These elements add a lighthearted, flirtatious tone, evoking the vibrant social dynamics of 1990s club scenes where dancing provided escapism and a sense of euphoria.[35][34] The lyrics' overall brevity—under 100 unique words—prioritizes memorability and communal sing-alongs, reinforcing the song's emphasis on spontaneous, carefree partying without delving into deeper narratives.[34]Music video
Production
The official music video for "I Like to Move It" was directed by Craig K. McCall in 1994.[36] It was filmed in New York City, capturing the energetic performance of Reel 2 Real and The Mad Stuntman amid urban settings.[6]Content and style
The music video for "I Like to Move It," directed by Craig K. McCall and released in 1994, features fast-paced editing that synchronizes with the song's upbeat tempo, showcasing groups of dancers in colorful, vibrant outfits performing coordinated choreography to the beat.[7] The Mad Stuntman serves as the central figure, often positioned in dynamic poses amid the action, with sequences intercut between high-energy party scenes and more abstract dance routines that emphasize fluid, rhythmic movements.[7] This energetic style creates a lively party atmosphere, reinforced by quick cuts, bold camera angles, and vibrant lighting that bathes the scenes in neon hues and flashing effects, contributing to the video's overall runtime of approximately 4:00, optimized for television broadcast.[7] Thematically, the visuals celebrate movement and uninhibited fun, directly mirroring the song's lyrics through exaggerated physical expressions and group interactions that evoke joy and communal dancing.[7] Reflecting broader trends in 1990s music videos, the production draws from rave culture's emphasis on ecstatic, repetitive motion and hip-hop's focus on rhythmic, street-inspired performance aesthetics.[37][38]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"I Like to Move It" experienced strong chart performance upon its 1994 release, particularly in Europe, where it topped several national singles charts. In the United States, the single peaked at number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 8 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. In the United Kingdom, it debuted on the Official Singles Chart in February 1994 and climbed to a peak of number 5, spending 21 weeks on the chart.[39] The song also achieved number 1 positions in several European countries, including France, where it topped the SNEP Singles Chart for 5 weeks and spent 32 weeks on the chart, the Netherlands, where it held the top spot for 4 weeks on the Dutch Top 40, and Belgium (Flanders). It peaked at number 2 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40. It entered the top 10 in Australia (peaking at number 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart) and Germany (number 3 on the GfK Entertainment charts), and the top 20 in Sweden (number 12 on the Sverigetopplistan, with 13 weeks on the chart). In France, it ranked number 1 on the year-end singles chart for 1994.[40][41] The track's inclusion in the 2005 animated film Madagascar led to renewed interest, with minor re-entries on various charts globally. The track has maintained a sustained presence on dance-oriented charts and streaming platforms.| Country | Chart | Peak Position | Year | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Billboard Hot 100 | 89 | 1994 | 7 |
| United States | Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 8 | 1994 | 13 |
| United Kingdom | Official Singles Chart | 5 | 1994 | 21 |
| Austria | Ö3 Austria Top 40 | 2 | 1994 | 18 |
| France | SNEP Singles Chart | 1 | 1994 | 32 |
| Netherlands | Dutch Top 40 | 1 | 1994 | 19 |
| Australia | ARIA Singles Chart | 6 | 1994 | 22 |
| Germany | GfK Entertainment Singles Chart | 3 | 1994 | 18 |
| Sweden | Sverigetopplistan | 12 | 1994 | 13 |
Certifications and sales
"I Like to Move It" achieved significant commercial success, earning multiple certifications from music industry organizations worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the single Gold on October 19, 2018, for 400,000 units. In France, the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) awarded it Gold certification on October 28, 1994, for 250,000 units sold. Additional certifications include Gold in Australia (35,000 units, ARIA), Germany (250,000 units, BVMI), and the Netherlands (50,000 units, NVPI).[42] The 2005 CD single reissue capitalized on renewed interest from the Madagascar film.| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Certified Units/Sales | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA | Gold | 35,000 | 1994 |
| France | SNEP | Gold | 250,000 | October 28, 1994 |
| Germany | BVMI | Gold | 250,000 | 1994 |
| Netherlands | NVPI | Gold | 50,000 | 1994 |
| United Kingdom | BPI | Gold | 400,000 | October 19, 2018 |