DJ Funk, Pioneering Ghetto House Producer, Dies at 54
DJ Funk, a pioneering producer who helped define the “ghetto house” sound and shape Chicago’s underground music scene, has passed away at the age of 54.
His death was confirmed by longtime collaborator and friend DJ Slugo, who shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram. DJ Funk had been in hospice care for stage 4 cancer.
Born Charles Chambers, DJ Funk, a driving force in the city’s house music movement, was known for his high-energy beats, stripped-down production, and explicit, party-driven lyrics that made his tracks staples in clubs across the Midwest and beyond. His style—fast, raw, and bass-heavy—became synonymous with what he proudly coined “ghetto house,” a genre also referred to as booty house.
Chambers had been battling stage four cancer, and his family recently launched a fundraising effort to cover his medical and funeral expenses. Though his passing is a devastating loss, his influence remains deeply embedded in Chicago’s musical legacy.
DJ Funk rose to prominence in the 1990s, carving out his niche on labels like Dance Mania (which he later owned) and Pro-Jex. His hits, including “Work Dat Body,” “Pump It,” and “Run,” became club anthems, with their infectious call-and-response lyrics and relentless, body-moving basslines. He, alongside contemporaries like DJ Deeon, DJ Assault, and DJ Houzman, took cues from Miami bass while keeping the spirit of Chicago house alive.
In the wake of his passing, DJ Funk’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and honor his legacy. They’ve received roughly $32,523 of their $35,000 goal.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of DJ Funk.
