Clivillés: The Architect of 90s Dance Music

Clivillés is the professional name of Robert Clivillés, an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ who became a defining force in the late 1980s and 1990s dance and pop scene. Hailing from New York City, his greatest achievement came as one half of the production and songwriting duo C+C Music Factory, whose 1990 debut album Gonna Make You Sweat achieved multi-platinum status and dominated global charts.

Early career

Born in 1964, Robert Clivillés began his musical journey in the vibrant New York club circuit as a DJ. His early industry break came through his work with the influential Latin freestyle group The Cover Girls, where he started to hone his production skills. This led to a pivotal collaboration with fellow producer David Cole, forming the core of the soon-to-be legendary C+C Music Factory.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough for Clivillés and Cole arrived explosively in 1990 with the single "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)". Released on Columbia Records, the track featured powerhouse vocals by Martha Wash and Zelma Davis and became a worldwide phenomenon. The parent album, Gonna Make You Sweat, soared to number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple-platinum in the United States, selling millions of copies.

Key tracks

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) — This iconic track was the global smash that defined the C+C Music Factory sound and topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm... — Another top-five pop hit that further cemented the duo's chart dominance and showcased their knack for catchy, sample-driven hooks.

A Deeper Love — Originally for C+C Music Factory, this gospel-tinged dance anthem became a signature song for Aretha Franklin, winning a Grammy and highlighting Clivillés' songwriting reach.

Pride (In The Name Of Love) — The duo's 1991 dance cover of the U2 classic became a major club hit, demonstrating their ability to reinterpret rock songs for the dance floor.

Just a Touch of Love — This 1989 track for Seduction, produced by Clivillés and Cole, was a key early hit that helped establish their signature sound in the freestyle and dance genres.

Following the tragic passing of David Cole in 1995, Robert Clivillés continued to work under the C+C Music Factory name while also expanding his production portfolio. He produced and wrote for a diverse array of major artists including Mariah Carey on her Daydream album and the hit "Always Be My Baby," as well as projects for Whitney Houston, Deborah Cox, and Gloria Estefan. His work consistently blended house music rhythms with accessible pop melodies, ensuring his productions had broad commercial appeal.

Artists with a similar high-energy, production-focused approach to dance-pop include David Guetta who similarly bridges club beats and pop vocals. The Crystal Method shares the big beat and sample-heavy aesthetic of early C+C Music Factory work. The freestyle and Latin-tinged dance music of Lisa Lisa comes from the same New York scene that shaped Clivillés. For the pure pop-dance fusion, listen to Black Box which also featured powerhouse diva vocals over driving house tracks.

The energetic productions of Clivillés remain a staple on dance music radio stations and classic hits FM stations featured on this website. His tracks are frequently spun on dedicated 90s throwback channels and online dance radio streams, keeping the iconic sound alive for new generations of listeners.

The music of Clivillés and his influential projects can be heard regularly across the radio stations available on onairium.com. Listeners can discover his classic hits and enduring dance anthems by tuning into the various stations featured on our platform.