​Fundraiser launched to help cover funeral costs for Chicago’s DJ Funk

A fundraiser has been launched to help cover funeral costs for Chicago DJ and producer DJ Funk, who is currently battling stage four cancer.

His family shared a crowdfunder last week, explaining that DJ Funk – real name Charles Chambers – has been “bravely” battling cancer, but “doesn't have much longer left”.

“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.

A goal of $10,000 was set to help give Chambers “the tribute he deserves”, which has since been surpassed, with donations mounting beyond $22,000 so far.

“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,” the fundraiser reads. “Thank you.”

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Chambers began a career in dance music during the late ‘80s, rising to fame with a string of releases on labels like Dance Mania and Pro-Jex.

Under the alias DJ Funk, Chambers pioneered the early sound of ghetto house following the rise of ghetto tech, working between Chicago, Detroit, and other areas of the Midwest.

His 1999 album ‘Booty House Anthems’ sold more than a million copies across the US, and was followed up with two additional releases, ‘Booty House Anthems 2’ in 2006, and ‘Booty House Anthems 3’ in 2013.

In 2006, after producing a remix for Justice, he founded his own label, Funk Records – a home for his own releases, mixtapes, singles, and compilations featuring the likes of DJ Deeon and Lil’ Louis.

DJ Funk also features in a 1998 documentary, Modulations, directed by Iara Lee, tracing the history of electronic music.

Donate to the fundraiser here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter