DJ Casper, whose song “Cha Cha Slide” became a staple at weddings and parties across the world, has died at the age of 58.
The Chicago native — whose real name was Willie Perry Jr. — had been battling kidney and liver cancer since 2016. According to ABC 7 Chicago, he passed away on Monday, August 7th.
DJ Casper initially wrote “Casper Slide Pt. 1” as an aerobic exercise for his nephew, who worked as a Bally fitness trainer. After the song was picked up by a local Chicago radio studio, he released a new version called “Casper Slide Pt. 2” — which would eventually become known the world over as “Cha Cha Slide.” The song was released by Universal Records and featured a companion music video inspired by Chicago’s stepping movement.
Over the years, DJ Casper also worked as an on-air personality for Chicago radio station V103.