Who Was DJ Funk? All About Chicago Ghetto House Music Legend Who Passed Away at 54 After Cancer Battle

54-year-old DJ Funk, a trailblazer in the Chicago ghetto house music movement, passed away after a tough fight against stage four cancer. This unfortunate news was shared by his long-term companion and musical partner, DJ Slugo.

In an email to the public, Slugo shared that he was among the originators of a distinctive genre of music known as ghetto house from Chicago. He concluded by expressing his affection and lamenting the loss of their bond, stating, “I’ll make sure our sound continues to thrive.

A GoFundMe campaign was initiated by DJ Funk’s family to assist with funeral costs. The campaign statement reads: “DJ Funk, a gifted musician who has spread joy and inspiration to countless individuals through his artistry, is now confronting the difficult truth of arranging his final goodbye.” We aim to collect $10,000 for the necessary funeral arrangements and to provide him with an appropriate tribute.

1971 saw the birth of Charles Chambers, who later became renowned as DJ Funk. He played a pivotal part in developing the ghetto house genre, another term for booty house. His music was a fusion of quick beats, bass, and vocals laced with explicit lyrics, resulting in a high-energy sound that left its mark on both the Chicago and Detroit rave scenes.

In the ’90s, Funk made a name for himself by producing popular tracks like “Work Dat Body”, “Run”, and “Pump It”. He first gained notoriety in the underground music scene, performing at clandestine parties in warehouses and teaming up with artists such as DJ Slugo, DJ Deeon, and Traxman.

In a 2005 interview with Red Bull Music Academy, Funk expressed his thoughts on his music style. He stated, “I chose to be more authentic and genuine,” adding, “If I follow one path, I’ll sound like everyone else. But if I take another route and create something like ‘P Ride’, it will surprise people.

Over the course of his music career, DJ Funk put out a number of impactful extended plays, like House The Groove, House Trax II, and The Original Video Clash. In 2006, he established his own record label, Funk Records, which allowed him to collaborate with artists such as Jeff Mills, Houz’mon, and DJ Deeon.

His work was notable enough to grab the attention of Daft Punk, who acknowledged him on their 1997 track “Teachers” alongside other prominent Chicago house musicians like Paul Johnson and Lil Louis. Additionally, he teamed up with Justice for a remix of “Waters of Nazareth” in 2006.

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2025-03-07 10:07