Current:Home > Finance"Cha Cha Slide" Creator DJ Casper Dead at 58 After Cancer Battle -Trailblazer Capital Learning
"Cha Cha Slide" Creator DJ Casper Dead at 58 After Cancer Battle
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:05:20
The music world has lost a star.
DJ Casper, the creator of the "Cha Cha Slide," died on Aug. 7 at the age of 58, his wife Kim confirmed to Chicago's ABC7.
Casper's passing comes after a yearslong battle with cancer.
"They diagnosed me in 2016 with two forms of cancer, which is renal and Neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver," he told ABC7 anchor Samantha Chatman in May. "So, they went in to try to do surgery and they found out that the kidney was connected to the main artery. So, they decided not to do it. They decided to just treat it."
The artist, also known as Mr. C The Slide Man, underwent chemotherapy, according to the website for his Casper Classic Radio. In 2019, Casper told ABC7 that he was in remission. However, his cancer later returned. Still, Casper never gave up hope.
"If you know me, you know I'm not gonna stop," he told the news organization in May. "I'm gonna continue to go. I will continue to go ‘til I can't go."
Born Willie Perry Jr., Casper grew up in Englewood, Chicago. According to his Casper Classic Radio bio, he was called Casper because he almost always wore white clothing during his performances.
As for how his famous line dance came to be, the website states that Casper created the "Casper Slide Pt. 1"—a.k.a. the "Cha Cha Slide"—for his nephew, who worked as a trainer at Bally Total Fitness in 1998. Two years later, he released the "Casper Slide Pt. 2," with his bio noting it caught the attention of Elroy Smith from Chicago's radio station WGCI-FM.
The song rose to the top of the charts, reaching the no. 1 spot in the U.K. More than two decades later, it continues to slide into fans' hearts on the dance floor. In fact, Casper—who also shared his talents with radio station WVAZ V103 and his own Casper Classic Radio—even made a cameo on season six of Orange Is the New Black, where they played his hit.
And his song and legacy will continue to live on.
"Anybody that's going through cancer, know that you got cancer and cancer don't have you," Casper previously told ABC7. "So keep on doing the 'Cha Cha Slide.'"
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (68118)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Police find Missouri student Riley Strain’s body in Tennessee river; no foul play suspected
- Delta pilot gets 10 months in jail for showing up to flight drunk with half-empty bottle of Jägermeister
- Kate Middleton Privately Returns to Royal Duties Amid Surgery Recovery
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- More than 440,000 Starbucks mugs recalled after reports of injuries from overheating and breakage
- Two weeks later: The hunt for missing Mizzou student Riley Strain in Nashville
- These Chic Bathroom Organizers From Amazon Look Incredibly Luxurious But Are Super Affordable
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Missouri Supreme Court declines to halt execution of man who killed couple in 2006
Ranking
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Delta pilot gets 10 months in jail for showing up to flight drunk with half-empty bottle of Jägermeister
- 'We're not a Cinderella': Oakland's Jack Gohlke early March Madness star as Kentucky upset
- Justice Department sues Apple for allegedly monopolizing the smartphone market
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Garland dismisses criticism that he should have altered Hur report as absurd
- Sara Evans, husband Jay Barker have reconciled after his 2022 arrest: 'We're so happy now'
- NFL will allow Eagles' Tush Push play to remain next season
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Oklahoma prosecutors will not file charges in fight involving teenager Nex Benedict
Has anyone ever had a perfect bracket for March Madness? The odds and precedents for NCAA predictions
Detroit-area man convicted of drowning his 4 children in car in 1989 seeks release from prison
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Garland dismisses criticism that he should have altered Hur report as absurd
Carlee Russell, Alabama woman who faked her own kidnapping, gets probation for hoax
Border Patrol chief says tougher policies are needed to deter migrants from entering U.S. illegally