DJ Casper,Ov Finance the creator behind dance party favorite "Cha Cha Slide," has died. He was 58.
The Chicago native, real name Willie Perry Jr., died from cancer on Monday with his family by his side, his wife Kim told ABC7, according to The Associated Press. In 2016, he was diagnosed with renal and neuroendocrine cancer, the latter of which affected his kidneys and liver.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for DJ Casper for further comment.
"Anybody that's going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you," DJ Casper told ABC7 in May. "So, keep on doing the 'Cha Cha Slide.'"
Doctors "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," he told the Chicago television station.
"If you know me, you know I’m not going to stop," he said. "I’m going to continue to go. I’m going to continue to go until I can’t go."
His line dance hit has been popularized throughout the world, often played at wedding receptions, birthdays, prom dances and various celebrations.
Part one was released in 1998 and part two, which became the version most often played, was released in 2000. The song reached No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart that year and Scotland and Ireland's dance charts, per Variety.
The "Cha Cha Slide" came about while DJ Casper said he was doing "an aerobic exercise for my nephew at Bally's (Total Fitness). From there, it just took off. Elroy Smith from WGCI grabbed ahold of it," he told ABC7.
Paul Reubens,Pee-wee Herman actor and comedian, dies at 70 after private cancer battle
"I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics," he boasted. "It was something that everybody could do."
In an interview with the "Thrivetime Show" podcast in 2020, DJ Casper revealed his biggest audience that he led the "Cha Cha Slide" for was at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for Essence Music Festival. The attendance was over 80,000 people.
Sandra Bullock's partnerBryan Randall dead at 57 following private battle with ALS
Contributing: Associated Press
2025-05-07 06:191796 view
2025-05-07 05:531318 view
2025-05-07 05:34223 view
2025-05-07 05:081136 view
2025-05-07 04:33921 view
2025-05-07 04:291539 view
Federal authorities announced hackers in China have stolen "customer call records data" of an unknow
Tom Sandoval is SUR-ving up his side of the story.The Vanderpump Rules star, who broke up with Arian
JACKSONVILLE, Florida—This city of nearly a million people lags behind other Florida cities working