Joseph Michael Calleja(November 9, 1974 – November 16, 2000),[2][3][4]known by his stage nameJoe C.,was an American rapper, best known for being ahype manfor fellow rapperKid Rock.[4]
Joe C. | |
|---|---|
 Joe C. in 1999 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Michael Calleja |
| Born | November 9, 1974 Trenton, Michigan,U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 2000(aged 26) Taylor, Michigan,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1994–2000 |
| Labels | Top Dog[1] |
Early life
editCalleja was born in theDetroitsuburb ofTrenton, Michigan,and grew up in nearbyTaylor.[2][3]Since childhood, he had been treated forceliac disease,a chronic autoimmune disorder that limited his height to 3 ft 9 in (1.14 m), and required him to take dozens of pills and undergodialysisdaily.[5][6][7]
Career
editCalleja first met Detroit-area musicianKid Rockat a concert by the latter inRoseville, Michigan,in 1994.[7]Rock initially mistook Calleja for a child. "He used to come to all my shows. He'd be standing on tables in the front row singing the lyrics."[8]Rock subsequently brought Calleja into his act as a rapper and hype man: "He's talking and I'm like, would you like a job? He's like, I can't do anything. I'm like, it's not important right now. I was like, you got attitude flying all over this room. I was like, I'll teach you everything you need to know," Rock said.[8]
In 1997, Calleja posed with two naked strippers for an album cover for rapper Shortcut. A photo lab reported the image as possiblechild pornography,but the investigation was closed less than a day later when Calleja verified his age to be 23.[9]
Calleja also appeared on television, including a guest role with Kid Rock on the animated seriesThe Simpsons,on the season 11 episode "Kill the Alligator and Run".Calleja was aWorld Wrestling Federationfan and made various references to the WWFstableD-Generation Xduring concerts. He appeared on the May 18, 2000, edition ofWWF Smackdownduring a taping in Detroit to drink beer withThe Acolytes,and on the May 29 edition ofRaw Is War,helpingToo Coolwin their onlyWWF Tag Team Championshipin 2000 fromEdge and Christian.[10]He was also featured posthumously in the animated filmOsmosis Jonesas a part of Kidney Rock.
Death
editOn November 16, 2000, Calleja died in his sleep at his parents' home in Taylor, Michigan, from complications from celiac disease.[7]His death was determined to be from natural causes and no autopsy was performed.[6]Kid Rock released a statement on Calleja's death: "Family and friends are everything; without them, all of the fame and fortune means nothing. We have lost part of our family. Joey gave us, and the world, his love. He brought a smile to everyone who has ever known or seen him. In a world full of confusion, Joey made all of us laugh. No matter what color, religion, race, or beliefs we have, he made us all smile. He gave us the gift of joy. Joey, thank you. We will never forget you. We love you."[11]Rock dedicated his 2001 albumCockyto Calleja.
Discography
editWith Kid Rock
edit- Devil Without a Cause(1998)
- The History of Rock(2000)
- Live Trucker(2006)
Soundtracks
edit- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut(1999)
- Osmosis Jones(2001)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Parker, Trey (1999).South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut(booklet).Trey Parker;Matt Stone.New York: Hilarity Music. p. 5. 83199-2.
- ^ab"Joe C. Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More".Allmusic.RetrievedNovember 3,2022.
- ^abGraff, Gary (November 17, 2000)."Kid Rock's Joe C. Dies".ABC News.RetrievedOctober 20,2022.
- ^ab"Kid Rock cohort Joe C. dies".CNN.November 20, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon February 29, 2008.RetrievedOctober 20,2022.
- ^"Musician Joseph Calleja Dies at 26".The Washington Post.November 19, 2000.RetrievedOctober 19,2022.
- ^ab"MTV News Online - Kid Rock Sidekick Joe C. Dies".mtv.Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2002.RetrievedOctober 19,2022.
- ^abc"Joseph Calleja; Rapper 'Joe C.' Toured with Kid Rock".The Los Angeles Times.November 18, 2000.RetrievedMay 19,2015.
- ^abKid Rock on MV (September 16, 2014)."Kid Rock - Interview - 7/24/1999 - Woodstock 99 East Stage (Official)".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021.RetrievedMay 9,2018.
- ^"LEWD BUT LEGAL Another Untold Story with JOE C and Champtown".YouTube.November 26, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021.
- ^"World Tag Team Championships - Too Cool".WWE Official Website. May 29, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2014.RetrievedApril 20,2014.
- ^Dansby, Andrew (November 17, 2000)."Joe C. Dead at Twenty-Six".Rolling Stone.RetrievedAugust 3,2019.