DJ Casper, the creator of hit 2000 song Cha Cha Slide, has died at the age of 58.
The American DJ and songwriter died on Monday after a cancer battle, his wife Kim confirmed to ABC7 News in his hometown of Chicago.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: DJ Casper’s Cha Cha Slide.
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In an interview with the outlet in May, Casper talked about being diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016.
“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.”
His most famous song, Cha Cha Slide, was originally created as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked at a local fitness centre.
It eventually became a huge hit as a line dance song after first taking off on local radio in Chicago.
Cha Cha Slide became a popular tune at school dances, sporting events, weddings and other celebratory occasions.
The catchy song spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and continued to chart for four more years, reaching the top of the UK Singles Chart in March 2004.
“I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums – hockey, basketball, football, baseball, they played it at the Olympics,” the DJ once said of the song’s runaway success.
“It was something that everybody could do.”
Cancer battle
In his May interview with ABC7, Casper said he had been having trouble eating and was rapidly losing weight.
“I used to weigh 236 pounds (107kg), and I think I’m about 60 pounds (27kg) less,” he revealed.
“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.”
Speaking of his cancer battle, the DJ – real name Willie Perry Jr – made a reference to the song he will always be best known for.