Ali Arsalan
The music world bids farewell to DJ Casper, the creative force behind the infectious dance anthem “Cha Cha Slide.” At the age of 58, he lost his battle with cancer, a fight he had courageously fought for seven years.
His wife, Kim, confirmed his passing to Chicago’s ABC7, marking the end of a remarkable musical journey.
DJ Casper’s ‘Cha Cha Slide’: From Chicago Origins to Global Dance Phenomenon
Chicago native Willie Perry Jr., known as DJ Casper, crafted the instructional line-dance tune “Casper Slide Pt. 1” in 1998 for his nephew’s aerobics class. The song, complete with dance directions like “To the right now/To the left/Take it back now y’all/One hop this time,” quickly gained popularity.
Within two years, a revamped version titled “Casper Slide Pt. 2” emerged and gained radio play. With support from Chicago’s M.O.B. Records, the song was rebranded as “Cha Cha Slide” and transcended borders, becoming a universal dance sensation.
DJ Casper’s Legacy: A Fond Tribute to a Fun-Loving Creator
Diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016, Casper faced health challenges head-on. In a heartfelt statement, his wife Kim fondly remembered him.
“Casper was a fun-loving, giving person. He was a genuine, family oriented man. He loved Chicago with all his heart. He will be greatly missed.”
Kim (His wife)
The iconic dance track’s impact extended to pop culture, making an appearance in a 2019 Saturday Night Live sketch where a software engineer (John Mulaney) impressively showcased his “Cha Cha Slide” moves to his girlfriend (Ego Nwodim).