Ghetto house pioneer DJ Funk dies aged 54

Chicago ghetto house pioneer DJ Funk has died.

The influential Dance Mania artist’s friend and peer DJ Slugo confirmed the news in a statement shared with Resident Advisor yesterday. The legendary artist born Charles Chambers had been receiving palliative care for cancer. He was 54. 

Last week, family members began fundraising to cover the producer and DJ’s funeral costs. At the time of writing the campaign has brought in more than $32,000 and donations are still being taken. You can contribute here. 

“Dj Funk, a talented artist who has brought so much joy and inspiration to so many through his music, is now facing the heartbreaking reality of planning for his final farewell,” the campaign page reads. 

An active member of the Midwest free party scene since the early-1990s, Funk is considered one of the founding fathers of ghetto house. Incorporating elements of hip-hop, Miami bass and house music, the sound became synonymous with a number of artists during the decade, including Slugo and Traxman, helping lay foundations for juke and footwork. 

One of the most iconic names on the Dance Mania roster, Funk made immense contributions to its catalogue. This includes formative EPs and singles like ‘House The Groove’, ‘Street Trax II’, and ‘Trax From The Dark Side’, alongside seminal genre albums such as ‘Pumpin The Trax’, ‘Freaky Style Take: 2’ and ‘Booty House’. 

In 2006, he launched his own label, Funk Records, and was invited to collaborate with French electro outfit Justice. He was also a huge influence on Parisian stars Daft Punk, with his name featuring on the shout-out track ‘Teachers’ – which pays homage to influential names in dance music – alongside fellow ghetto house originator and Dance Mania head, DJ Deeon, who passed away in July 2023, aged 56. 

Tributes have come in from across the house, techno and dance music worlds, with many citing Funk as one of the key catalysts for their own imprints, decisions to pursue careers in music and master physical DJ skills like cutting and juggling – key elements in ghetto house club sets.