William Perry Jr, most known by his stage name of DJ Casper, has passed away at age 58 from cancer. He is responsible for giving the world the ultimate party line dance, the Cha Cha Slide.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, DJ Casper was first diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016. Yet despite his health challenges, he remained positive, reminding fans to always “Cha Cha Slide.”
“I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics,” the DJ said in a previous interview. “It was something that everybody could do.”
The global hit was released in 2000 after Casper created it as a step aerobics routine for his nephew, who worked as a personal trainer at Bally’s Total Fitness. The song took off and soon, DJs, clubs and more were requesting the track. Its popularity landed the musician as the opening act of one of James Brown’s tours.
Soon after, he was faced with the unimaginable.
“They diagnosed me in 2016 with two kinds of cancer, which is renal and Neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver,” DJ Casper shared. “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. I used to weigh 236 pounds, and I think I’m about 60 pounds less. 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.”
And keep going he did. The Chicago native recently issued a heartfelt message to his fans, especially those who were experiencing similar health issues.
“Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you,” he said. “So, keep on doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide.'”
EBONY extends condolences to the family and friends of DJ Casper. May he rest in peace.
