DJ Casper also known as Willie Perry Jr. who achieved fame for creating the popular dance hit Cha Cha Slide has passed away at the age of 58. His wife Kim confirmed that he died on Monday following a seven year battle with cancer. DJ Casper, originally from Chicago, created the song Cha Cha Slide in 1998 for his nephew's aerobics class. Initially released as Casper Slide Pt. 1 the song gained popularity in local fitness clubs. In 2000 a new version titled Casper Slide Pt. 2 started receiving radio play. The song fame continued to grow when Chicago M.O.B. Records became involved leading to widespread recognition by 2004 both in Chicago and around the world. Cha Cha Slide achieved No. 1 on the U.K. Singles chart in 2004 as well as on the Scotland and Ireland Dance charts. In 2016 DJ Casper was diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer and he battled the disease for several years. He openly discussed his health challenges in an interview with ABC7 Samantha Chatman in May. The legacy of DJ Casper and his iconic dance hit continues to be celebrated by music and dance enthusiasts worldwide. Willie Perry Jr., better known by his stage name DJ Casper, was a DJ and musician best known for penning the hit dance song Cha Cha Slide. He was raised in Chicago and rose to popularity with a catchy, upbeat dance hit that went viral in the early 2000s. The Cha Cha Slide is a dance song that includes instructions for a series of dance steps, making it a favorite at parties, weddings and other events. The song simple and fun instructions along with its infectious beat contributed to its widespread popularity. Cha Cha Slide was initially created in 1998 for Casper nephew aerobics class and gained traction in local fitness clubs. He released an updated version Casper Slide Pt. 2 in 2000 which started receiving radio play and eventually became a global hit. The song reached No. 1 on the U.K. Singles chart in 2004 as well as on dance charts in Scotland and Ireland. DJ Casper legacy is tied to the enduring popularity of Cha Cha Slide which continues to be played and enjoyed by people of all ages at various events and gatherings. DJ Casper (Willie Perry Jr.) was born on 31 May, 1971 in Englewood, Chicago, Illinois USA. Cha Cha Slide was initially created as a song to accompany his nephew aerobics class. The dance instructions provided in the song made it easy for participants to follow along. The song features a series of dance commands such as Slide to the left Slide to the right Take it back now you all and Cha Cha real smooth guiding dancers through the steps. The upbeat and repetitive nature of the song made it a favorite at various events from parties and weddings to school dances and fitness classes. DJ Casper Casper Slide Pt. 2 gained significant radio play and became a hit not only in the United States but also internationally. Cha Cha Slide has become a cultural phenomenon and is often played at sports events, parties, and dance clubs as well as used in TV shows and movies. Despite the song commercial success DJ Casper did not release many other widely known tracks. DJ Casper contribution to the dance music genre and his impact on popular culture through Cha Cha Slide remain enduring aspects of his legacy. Over the years various remixes and versions of the song have been created keeping the dance alive and evolving. DJ Casper Cha Cha Slide continues to bring people together to dance and have fun making it a beloved and timeless track in the world of dance music. DJ Casper Cha Cha Slide achieved tremendous success becoming one of the most recognizable and widely played songs across various sports events and entertainment platforms. He mentioned that his song was played not only in stadiums for hockey, basketball, football and baseball but also at the Olympics showcasing its widespread popularity and universal appeal. Despite the song massive success DJ Casper acknowledged that while royalty checks initially flowed in they gradually slowed down after the song peak period. He candidly shared that he had indulged in spending until his earnings were depleted. He continued performing the hit at events, even though he himself had grown tired of the song emphasizing that he never grew tired of seeing people enjoy themselves to his music. DJ Casper made a memorable appearance in Season 6 of Netflix show Orange Is the New Black where his distinctive appearance and Cha Cha Slide were integrated into a hallucination scene involving the characters. The song popularity extended to film soundtracks as well, being featured in movies such as Turning Red Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania and Red Road. The enduring legacy of Cha Cha Slide has left an indelible mark on popular culture and its impact continues to be felt in various forms of entertainment.