Tragic Loss: DJ Funk’s Battle with Cancer Ends, Fundraiser Launched for Funeral Costs
The Chicago house music scene is once again grieving the loss of one of its key figures. DJ Funk, whose real name is Charles Chambers, played a pivotal role in the emergence of the ghetto house genre and has passed away at the age of 53 after a lengthy fight against cancer.
In a heartfelt effort to assist with his funeral expenses, Chambers’ daughter Shontae initiated a GoFundMe campaign last month. The campaign’s description emphasized that Chambers had been “bravely battling stage 4 cancer” and had limited time left. On Thursday, March 5, Shontae shared the heartbreaking news via Chambers’ personal Facebook account that he had passed away.
“He fought like a true warrior from beginning to end,” posted Shontae on Facebook post. “I thank God for his strength and willpower throughout this entire cancer journey. Now he is at ease, resting peacefully.”
Charles Chambers immersed himself in the dance music scene during the early ’90s in Chicago, where house music had flourished from the remnants of disco in LGBTQ+, Black, and Latino communities nearly a decade earlier. His career gained momentum with a series of EPs released through the label Dance Mania around the turn of the millennium, notably including the iconic Ghetto House.
The term “Ghetto House” became synonymous with a subgenre of house music for which Chambers is widely recognized as a pioneer. This genre blends explicit lyrics and fast tempos from the ghettotech movement popularized by Detroit artists like DJ Assault and DJ Godfather, all set to a classic four-on-the-floor beat.
In 1999, Chambers released Booty House Anthems under his own Funk Records label. The album achieved remarkable success, selling over one million copies in the US, leading to the release of two sequels in 2006 and 2013.
Chambers also made his mark in 2006 with a remix of “Let There Be Light” by Justice, featured on the French duo’s EP, Waters of Nazareth (Remixes). Additionally, he is acknowledged in the 1997 Daft Punk track “Teachers,” where the duo mentions their various influences, including Chambers.
At EDM Identity, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of DJ Funk, aka Charles Chambers, during this challenging time.
