Photo: Getty Images
DJ Casper, the man behind the world-famous dance hit “Cha Cha Slide," has died, per Chicago ABC7. He was 58.
On Monday (August 7), DJ Casper's wife, Kim, confirmed the 58-year-old died from cancer.
Casper, born Willie Perry Jr., originally made the "Cha Cha Slide," first released under the name "Casper Slide Pt. 1," for an aerobics class in 1998. The song became popular in local fitness clubs, leading Casper to release "Casper Slide Pt. 2" in 2000. The hit started getting radio play and was picked up by Chicago's M.O.B. Records, helping the song gain international reach.
Casper was diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016. The hitmaker was open about his health journey.
“I used to weigh 236 pounds, and I think I’m about 60 pounds less,” Casper told ABC7 in May. “If you know me, you know I’m not going to stop. I’m going to continue to go. I’m going to continue to go until I can’t go.”
Casper said he hoped the “Cha Cha Slide” sends a positive message to those struggling with their health.
“Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you,” he previously said. “So, keep on doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide.'”
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