According to ABC 7, the Chicago native’s wife confirmed he lost his long cancer battle on Monday. In May, Casper, also known as Mr. C The Slide Man, talked to ABC 7 about his two-decade-long career and health struggles. He shared that he was optimistic about his condition and planned to enjoy his life fully. He also mentioned how surprised he was that “Cha Cha Slide” became a global phenomenon.

“When I first did it, I did it as an aerobic exercise for my nephew at Bally’s,” he told ABC 7. “From there, it just took off. Elroy Smith from WGCI grabbed ahold of it.”

“Cha Cha Slide” was first released as “Casper Slide Pt. 1” and was made in 1998, Variety reported. The line dance song started circulating in local fitness clubs, and Casper dropped a new version in 2000, “Casper Slide Pt. 2.” The song’s second part became popular on the radio, and eventually, Chicago’s M.O.B. Records got involved, helping make the song become a worldwide hit by 2004.

“I have one of the biggest songs that played at all stadiums: hockey, basketball, football, baseball; they played it at the Olympics,” the DJ told ABC 7. “It was something that everybody could do.”

Casper’s fame landed him the opportunity to tour with James Brown. Unfortunately, his cancer diagnosis made him put his career on pause.

“They diagnosed me in 2016 with two kinds of cancer, which is renal and Neuroendocrine, which is kidney and liver,” Casper told ABC 7. “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.”

Casper went through ups and downs with his cancer. He told ABC 7 in May that he was having trouble eating and lost a lot of weight.

“I used to weigh 236 pounds, and I think I’m about 60 pounds less,” he shared. “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.”

Casper also shared that he hopes “Cha Cha Slide” will inspire listeners to persevere through life and have fun doing it.

“Anybody that’s going through cancer, know that you have cancer and cancer does not have you,” Casper said. “So, keep on doing the ‘Cha Cha Slide.'”