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DJ Funk, Chicago Ghetto House Legend Dies at 54

DJ Funk, the Chicago dance legend (born Charles Chambers) known for inventing the 'ghetto house' genre, has died at 54 after a battle with cancer.

Though he never scored a traditional chart hit, Funk was gained global recognition in 2013 for his remix of French electronic duo Justice’s song “Let There Be Light” on which he demanded “I wanna see that ass bouncing” over one of his signature hyper-speed beats and a minimal, hypnotic bass line. He was also given a prominent shout-out by Daft Punk on their 1997 Homework album track “ Teachers,” where he came in as the second mention on the song behind fellow influential Chicago house legend Paul Johnson, and well ahead of some more well-known names such as George Clinton, Lil Louis, Kenny Dope, Dr. Dre, Jeff Mills and Joey Beltram. Funk released dozens of singles, remixes and mix CDs over his nearly 30-year career and performed alongside such legends as Bad Boy Bill and Felix Da Housecat at the Out Cold indoor music festival in Aurora, IL in February 2024.

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