DJ Funk, Ghetto House Trailblazer, Dies at 54

DJ Funk, the Chicago legend who coined the term "ghetto house," has died.

The musician, whose real name was Charles Chambers, was 54.

Funk's death was confirmed to PEOPLE by his friend and collaborator DJ Slugo.

"He was one of the pioneers of the sound we call ghetto house music in Chicago," he wrote in an email statement. "We love and miss you my brother, and I won’t let our sound die."

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Slugo also shared an Instagram Reel of him driving to the late musician's music on Wednesday, March 5.

"RIP DJ FUNK 😔" he captioned the post.

No specific cause of death was revealed, but news of Funk's death comes just days after his family launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs after they said Funk was coming to the end of his battle with stage 4 cancer.

"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," they wrote in a statement on the page. "He has been bravely battling stage 4 cancer and now doesn't have much longer left. We are raising $10,000 to cover funeral arrangements and give him the tribute he deserves."

They added: "This is a challenging time for the family and any support you can provide whether through donations or sharing this post would mean the world to us. Thank you."

A rep for Funk could not be reached by PEOPLE for comment.

As the pioneer of "ghetto house" aka "booty house," Funk helped shape the sound of the late '80s and early '90s, fusing sped-up beats, bass and vocals and raunchy lyrics, crafting tracks like “Work Dat Body,” “Run” and “Pump It.”

Born in 1971, he emerged as a fixture of the Chicago and Detroit rave scene, performing at underground parties in the early '90s. Over the years, he collaborated with Slugo, DJ Deeon and Traxman and released several influential EPs, including House The Groove, House Trax II and The Original Video Clash.

In 2006, Funk launched his own label, Funk Records, where he released mixtapes, singles and collaborations with Jeff Mills, Houz'mon, Deeon and more. That year, he also teamed up with Justice on a Waters of Nazareth remix EP.

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He even received recognition by Daft Punk on their 1997 track “Teachers,” where he earned a mention alongside Chicago house legend Paul Johnson, as well as George Clinton, Lil Louis, Kenny Dope, Dr. Dre, and more.

In a 2005 interview, Funk opened up to Red Bull Music Academy about carving his own lane in the music industry.

"I just decided that I just needed to be more real and more like myself," he said at the time. "I decided, if I go one route, I’m a sound like everybody else. If I take it this route and make something like 'Pussy Ride,' that’s something that’ll shock a motherf---er."

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