Songwriter DJ Casper, the creator of Cha Cha Slide, has died at the age of 58 eight years after he was diagnosed with liver and kidney cancer.
His grieving wife confirmed the heartbreaking news that the Chicago-born, real name Willie Perry Jr, passed away after battling the condition.
Perry kept his fans in the loop after he revealed that he received the diagnosis in 2016.
According to ABC7, the songwriter had been in remission when the cancer returned.
In his last televised interview in May, Perry said: “They diagnosed me in 2016 with two kinds of cancer, which is renal and Neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver.
“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.”
DJ Casper continued: “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.”
Speaking about Cha Cha Slide, he explained how he created the dance for his nephew.
“When I first did it, I did it as an aerobic exercise for my nephew at Bally’s,” he revealed.
“From there, it just took off. I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics.
“It was something that everybody could do.”
The line dance craze quickly an international sensation and has become part of school and wedding dances all over the world.
In a heartbreaking statement released by ABC7, Perry said: “Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you.
“So, keep on doing the Cha Cha Slide.”
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