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DJ Funk, Pioneering Ghetto House Producer, Dies at 54

The influential Chicago artist, born Charles Chambers, succumbed to stage 4 cancer after shaping a genre that left a lasting legacy in dance music.

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Overview

  • DJ Funk, real name Charles Chambers, was a key figure in Chicago's music scene, credited with coining and popularizing the ghetto house genre.
  • He passed away at 54 after a battle with stage 4 cancer, with his death confirmed by collaborator DJ Slugo and a family-organized GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses.
  • Ghetto house, also known as booty house, fused sped-up house beats, Miami bass, and raunchy call-and-response lyrics, influencing juke and footwork scenes globally.
  • DJ Funk's 1999 album 'Booty House Anthems' sold over a million copies, and his tracks were celebrated by icons like Daft Punk and Justice, who cited him as an influence.
  • Tributes from collaborators and fans highlight his energy, innovation, and enduring impact on dance music, with plans for a memorial event in Chicago being discussed.