Joe C.
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| Joe C. | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1974 |
| 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.
Contents |
[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. In his songs he claimes to be "3'9 with a 10 foot dick."
Calleja was also a World Wrestling Federation fan and made various references to the WWF stable D-Generation X during concerts. He also appeared on an episode of Raw Is War, helping Too Cool win their only WWF Tag Team Championship in 2000 from Edge and Christian.
[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.
[edit] External links
- Joe C. at the Internet Movie Database
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