Joe C.

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Joe C.
Born	November 9, 1974(1974-11-09)
Died	November 16, 2000 (aged 26)
Occupation(s)	Rapper

Joseph Calleja (born November 9, 1974 in Taylor, Michigan – died November 16, 2000 in Taylor, Michigan), better known as Joe C., was an American rapper. He became popular as part of Kid Rock's band.

1 Career
2 Health
3 Tributes
4 Discography
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Career

Calleja first met Kid Rock at a concert by the latter in Roseville, Michigan in 1994. He was first featured on the demo "Cool Daddy Cool" in 1995. He went on to appear on television, including a guest role on The Simpsons and as a celebrity deathmatch competitor on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch in 2000.

Calleja was also a World Wrestling Entertainment fan and made various references to the WWE stable D-Generation X during concerts. He also appeared on WWE, helping Too Cool win the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2000.

[edit] Health

Calleja had celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause stunted growth and associated complications in some rare cases. As a result, he reached a maximum height of 3 feet, 9 inches (114 centimeters) by adulthood. His short stature caused a number of related medical issues, including chronic pain. In a 2000 interview, Calleja told John Norris of MTV that he took 60 pills a day and had to receive nearly constant medical monitoring in order to maintain his health. He also had to adhere to the same gluten-free diet that all celiac patients must follow.

By November 1999, Calleja was forced to scale back his touring with Kid Rock, only appearing at a limited number of shows after that point. Calleja died in his sleep at his parents' house in Taylor on November 16, 2000. A full-length solo album had been lined up before his death.

[edit] Tributes

At Kid Rock concerts since his death, a video showing Calleja's rap to the song "Devil Without a Cause" has been played while Kid Rock kneels in silence towards the screen and the crowd sings Calleja's part.

Detroit rapper Paradime made a tribute to Calleja on his 2007 album Spill at Will. On the track "People Who Died," Paradime raps about the morning he was told about Calleja's death.

[edit] Discography

Cool Daddy Cool (demo) (1995)
Devil without a Cause (1998)
Early Mornin Stoned Pimp (2000)
Kyle's Momma Is a Big Fat Bitch (2000)
Heaven (demo) (2000)
Cool Daddy Cool (2000)
Devil without a Cause (live album "Trucker 2006", recorded on concerts in 2000)
Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp (live album "Trucker 2006", recorded on concerts in 2000)
Midget Pimpin' (2000)
Black and Blonde Doesn't Mix (2001)

[edit] References

"Kid Rock cohort Joe C. dies." CNN, November 20, 2000. Accessed February 18, 2008.
"Kid Rock sidekick Joe C. dies." MTV News, November 20, 2000. Accessed February 18, 2008.