5 Shocking Facts About 'I Like To Move It' That Prove The 90s Anthem Is Still Moving Today

Few songs define a generation and an animated movie franchise as perfectly as “I Like to Move It.” Originally released in 1993 by the American hip house project Reel 2 Real, featuring the distinctive ragga vocals of Trinidadian-born artist The Mad Stuntman, this infectious track became an international smash hit, forever cementing its place in the pop culture lexicon. As of today, December 12, 2025, the song continues to find new life through modern remixes, while the story of its creators remains a mix of enduring success and profound tragedy, especially with the recent passing of the project's mastermind.

The song’s simple yet irresistible call to action—to "move it"—transcended its Eurodance and hip house origins, becoming a global phenomenon that reached the top 5 on the UK Official Chart and earned a spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its legacy was dramatically amplified by its starring role in the *Madagascar* film series, but the personal lives of the artists behind the music tell a much deeper, more complex story that is essential to understanding the track's full history.

The Artists Behind the Anthem: Complete Biography Profiles

The success of "I Like to Move It" is the result of a powerhouse collaboration between a legendary DJ and a charismatic vocalist, each with a unique background.

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Erick Morillo (Reel 2 Real)

• Role: Producer, DJ, and mastermind behind the Reel 2 Real project.
• Born: March 26, 1971, in New York City, New York.
• Nationality: American (of Colombian descent).
• Career Highlights: Morillo was a globally celebrated house music DJ, running the successful Subliminal Records label. He was a three-time winner of the "Best International DJ" award at the Muzik Awards and a five-time winner of the "Best House DJ" award at the DJ Awards. He produced other Reel 2 Real hits like "Go On Move" and "Can You Feel It?"
• Tragic Death: Morillo died on September 1, 2020, at his home in Miami Beach, Florida.
• Cause of Death: The medical examiner ruled the death accidental, caused by acute ketamine toxicity, with MDMA and cocaine listed as contributing factors. He died just days before he was scheduled to appear in court on sexual battery charges.

The Mad Stuntman (Mark Quashie)

• Role: Ragga vocalist, co-writer, and the iconic voice of the song.
• Born: January 24, 1966 (or 1967), in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Nationality: Trinidadian-born American.
• Career Highlights: Mark Quashie adopted the stage name The Mad Stuntman due to his daring and unique performance style. His distinct ragga vocals gave Reel 2 Real's tracks their signature sound, blending Caribbean rhythms with electronic dance music. He continues to travel and perform, keeping the spirit of the song alive.
• Recent Activity: The Mad Stuntman released his first full-length album, *The Mad Stuntman Unleashed*, in 2017 and is still actively involved in the music scene, with concert appearances updated for 2025.

The Enduring Legacy: Chart Hits, Genre, and the *Madagascar* Phenomenon

What makes "I Like to Move It" a truly timeless track is its ability to successfully bridge multiple musical genres and then find a second life in a completely unexpected medium.

A Genre-Bending Dancefloor Classic

Released in 1993 as the second single from Reel 2 Real's debut album, *Move It!* (1994), the song was a masterclass in genre fusion. It is primarily categorized as Hip House or Eurodance, but its core appeal lies in the dynamic interplay between Erick Morillo's driving electronic beat and The Mad Stuntman's energetic ragga chanting. The song's pulsing rhythm and simple, catchy lyrics made it an instant club hit across Europe and the US.

• UK Success: The single was a massive hit in the UK, peaking at number 5 on the Official Singles Chart and spending 22 weeks on the chart.
• Global Reach: It charted across the world, including in the US, where it appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Reel 2 Real as one of the 90s' most recognizable dance acts.
• Timeless Sound: Despite being over three decades old, music critics in 2020 noted that the track "still sounds as hot today as it did when it first came out in 1993."

King Julien and the *Madagascar* Effect

For an entire new generation, "I Like to Move It" is not a 90s dance track but the signature song of a self-proclaimed royal lemur. Its inclusion in the 2005 DreamWorks animated film *Madagascar* propelled the song to a new level of cultural saturation.

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The character King Julien XIII, the eccentric ring-tailed lemur, performs a memorable version of the song in the film, making it his unofficial anthem. In the original *Madagascar* film, King Julien was voiced by actor Sacha Baron Cohen. The song's energetic, party-starting vibe perfectly matched the lemurs' jungle rave, ensuring that the song would be heard by millions of families worldwide. For subsequent sequels and the spin-off TV shows like *All Hail King Julien*, the character was primarily voiced by Danny Jacobs, who continued the tradition of performing the iconic song.

The Tragic Update: Erick Morillo's Death and The Mad Stuntman's Current Career

The story of "I Like to Move It" is defined by two contrasting current realities: the tragic end of one creator and the continuing, vibrant career of the other. The most significant recent update to the song's history is the passing of Erick Morillo.

The Loss of a House Music Icon

Erick Morillo's death in 2020 sent shockwaves through the electronic dance music community. While he was internationally famous for the Reel 2 Real project, Morillo had spent decades as a highly respected and prolific house music DJ and producer, running the influential Subliminal Records label. His death from a drug overdose, confirmed as acute ketamine toxicity, was a somber and controversial end to a career that had been recently marred by legal troubles.

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The Mad Stuntman Keeps the Movement Alive

In contrast to Morillo's tragic end, The Mad Stuntman (Mark Quashie) has maintained an active presence, serving as the living embodiment of the song's energy. He continues to tour globally, performing the hit that made him a household name. His performances are a testament to the song's enduring power and the vitality of the ragga and hip house genres he helped popularize. He is often booked for nostalgic 90s events, ensuring that the original energy of the track is felt by audiences today.

The 2024/2025 Remix Resurgence

The true measure of a classic is its ability to be reinterpreted, and "I Like to Move It" is currently experiencing a massive resurgence in the modern electronic music scene. The song is a favorite for DJs and producers looking to inject 90s nostalgia with a contemporary beat.

• Denkaa Remix (2024): A popular techno-focused remix by Denkaa was released, showcasing the song's adaptability to modern club sounds.
• Dj R'an Remix (2025): The track continues to inspire new versions, with a remix by Dj R'an specifically mentioned for release in 2025, proving the song's longevity is far from over.

From its roots on the Strictly Rhythm label to its current status as a viral remix staple, "I Like to Move It" is more than just a song; it is a cultural touchstone. The complex history of its creators, combined with its constant reinterpretation, ensures that the command to "move it" will be obeyed for decades to come.