DJ Casper, Cha Cha Slide Singer, Dead At 58
Willie Perry Jr., popularly known as DJ Casper, has died, BBC reports. According to the outlet, Casper's wife Kim confirmed his death to a Chicago-based local television station. News of Casper's death comes seven year after he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. "They diagnosed me in 2016 with two forms of cancer, which is renal and neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver," he told ABC7 in May 2023. "They went in to try to do surgery, and they found out the kidney was connected to the main artery, so they decided not to do it and just treat it."
Casper's health challenge took a toll, bringing with it a number of discomforting symptoms ranging from loss of appetite to weight loss. Nonetheless, the famed DJ refused to allow his diagnoses to stop him. "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," he explained during the interview with ABC7.
In the wake of his tragic death, here's a look back at DJ Casper's career and how he went from a Chicago native to an international superstar.
DJ Casper had his breakout in the late '90s
In 1998, DJ Casper created a musical workout routine for his nephew who worked as a personal trainer at the time. That routine would go on to become "The Cha-Cha Slide," the dance move that earned him popularity across the Chicago area. By 2001, Casper had become something of a national star, with "The Cha-Cha Slide" song peaking at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, per The Guardian. Even better, Casper soon made his way to international stardom after the track peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Speaking to ABC7 in May 2023, Casper touched on his accidental journey to success, noting that he never imagined the song would go as far as it did. "I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics. It was something that everybody could do," he added.
Following news of his death, fans of the late DJ have taken to social media, sharing tributes to the man who once had America dancing. "DJ Casper brought joy to so many with the 'Cha Cha Slide.' His legacy will live on through the countless celebrations and events where his music continues to unite people in dance," one user wrote on Twitter. "So many good memories doing the cha cha slide. RIP DJ Casper," another tweeted.