DJ Casper. Photo by Fuzzy Gerdes via Wikimedia Commons.
DJ Casper, the Chicago-born-and-based DJ and producer who created the line dance classic "Cha Cha Slide," passed away on August 7 after a battle with kidney and liver cancer, ABC7 Chicago reports. He was 58.
The origins of "Cha Cha Slide" begin in 1998, when Casper, born Willie Perry, Jr., created a song for his nephew, a fitness instructor. Titled "Casper Slide Part 1," the track used the beloved house track "Plastic Dreams" by Jaydee as the instrumental. After "Part 1" grew in popularity locally, Casper recorded a new version called "Casper Slide Part 2" with a full band. That iteration of the track, as well as its club-oriented follow-up "Cha Cha Slide," became staples of every kind of celebratory gathering around the world.
"I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums," Casper told ABC7 in May. "Hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics. It was something that everybody could do."
Casper's wife confirmed her husband's death on Monday, saying that he passed away surrounded by family and loved ones.