DJ Casper, the hitmaker responsible for the hit sensation, “Cha Cha Slide,” has died. He was 58 years old.
The music artist passed away on Monday, Aug. 7, with loved ones by his side, after a seven-year battle with cancer, according to his wife, Kim. An outlet from Casper’s own hometown, Chicago’s ABC7, was first to report the news.
In May, he sat down with the outlet in his home to talk about his global music success over the past two decades as well as his health struggles, in what would end up being his final TV interview.
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The born and raised Chicago native, born Willie Perry Jr., first created the dance track in 1998 for his nephew Bally’s aerobics class, releasing a newer version two years later after it started to gain traction.
“Casper Slide Pt. 2,” quickly gained radio play, and after being grabbed by Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, it was catapulted to ultimate fame, becoming an International sensation. In 2004, the tune reached No. 1 on the U.K. Singles chart, as well as Scotland and Ireland Dance charts.
“I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics,” Casper said of the popular line dance, which he has performed all over the world. “It was something that everybody could do.”
In 2016, however, his life changed when he was diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer, causing several challenges over the years, such as trouble eating and immense weight loss.
Through it all, though, the DJ hoped the art he left behind could still serve as inspiration for anyone going through similar health battles. “Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you,” Casper said at the time. “So, keep on doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide.’”
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