Did you know the Cha Cha slide, a world-wide classic appreciated by all ages, came from the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago? In 1999, everything came together and DJ Casper laid down the vocals that changed the world. The beat was a house track created by DJ Hudson “Hot Mix” Beauduy and played for DJ Casper in a basement studio at 64th Street and Parnell Avenue.

The song was originally written as a step aerobics routine for his nephew. The inspiration for the track comes from the culture of the Chicago stepping movement. This movement pulls from dance styles across the country and the Cha Cha Slide is one of many diverse iterations.

The song hit the Billboard Hot 100 Chart peaking at 83. Even in other countries, especially the UK, the song topped the charts and was played on BBC Radio 1. A famous music video to accompany the song was filmed in Chicago. The Cha Cha Slide represents one of the largest cultural exports from Chicago and is listened around the world to this day.