Bingo Players’ Paul Baumer Dies of Cancer

This story first appeared on Billboard.com.

Bingo Players’ Maarten Hoogstraten announced today on the group’s Facebook page that his DJ partner, Paul Baumer, lost his battle to cancer Tuesday, Dec. 17. The news was confirmed Wednesday.

The message from Hoogstraten thanks fans for their support and confirms the cancellation of gigs and events through the end of 2013.

Best known for their track “Cry (Just a Little),” which was sampled on Flo Rida’s Top 10 hit, “I Cry,” the duo rose out of the Dutch house scene with several underground tracks before cracking the global market with singles like “Cry” and “Rattle.”

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Flo Rida’s “I Cry” hit No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Rap Songs charts in 2012, pushing Bingo Players to greater global prominence as crossover beatmakers with David Guetta-level potential.

In 2013, Bingo Players played Ultra Music Festival and Coachella, and became one of the inaugural residents at Las Vegas megaclub Hakkasan. Baumer announced his diagnosis in July, acknowledging his absence from live appearances but declining to speak in depth about his illness.

In spite of this, the duo launched a large-scale headlining tour this fall, replete with an elaborate set designed by the Vita Motus Design Studio (Amon Tobin’s ISAM, Infected Mushroom’s Army of Mushrooms). Baumer was not on the tour, though as recently as September he was back in the studio. There were indications he would be returning to live performances.

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Baumer’s legacy will be from his peers. In July as his cancer had just been announced, fellow Dutchman Chuckie asked the Tomorrowland crowd to have a seat in honor of Baumer.

As his partner, Hoogstraten, said in his statement to fans, “Paul, we will miss you.”