Joseph Michael Calleja (November 9, 1974 – November 16, 2000), known by his stage name Joe C., was an American rapper, best known for being a hype man for fellow rapper

Kid Rock Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally as Kid Rock (also known as Bobby Shazam), is an American singer, songwriter and rapper. His style alternates between rock, hip hop, country, and metal. A self-taught musician, ...

Early life

Calleja was born in

Trenton, Michigan Trenton is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States. At the 2010 census, the city population was 18,853. A Shawnee village was built in the area by war chief Blue Jacket after the 1795 Treaty of Greenville. The area later became the site ...

, and grew up in nearby

Taylor Taylor, Taylors or Taylor's may refer to: People * Taylor (surname) **List of people with surname Taylor * Taylor (given name), including Tayla and Taylah * Taylor sept, a branch of Scottish clan Cameron * Justice Taylor (disambiguation) Plac ...

. Since childhood, had been treated for celiac disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder that limited his height to , and required him to take dozens of pills and undergo

dialysis Dialysis may refer to: *Dialysis (chemistry), a process of separating molecules in solution **Electrodialysis, used to transport salt ions from one solution to another through an ion-exchange membrane under the influence of an applied electric pote ...

daily.

Career

Calleja first met Detroit-area musician

at a concert by the latter in Roseville, Michigan in 1994. 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." Rock subsequently brought Calleja into his act: "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." In 1997, Calleja posed with two naked strippers for an album cover for rapper Shortcut. A photo lab reported the image as possible

child pornography Child pornography (also called CP, child sexual abuse material, CSAM, child porn, or kiddie porn) is pornography that unlawfully exploits children for sexual stimulation. It may be produced with the direct involvement or sexual assault of a chi ...

, but the investigation was closed less than a day later when Joe C. verified his age to be 23. Calleja also appeared on television, including a guest role with Kid Rock on the animated series ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...

'', on the season 11 episode "

Kill the Alligator and Run "Kill the Alligator and Run" is the nineteenth episode of the eleventh season of the American animated television series ''The Simpsons''. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on April 30, 2000. In the episode, Homer has a nervous brea ...

". Joe C. was a

World Wrestling Federation World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...

fan and made various references to the WWF

stable A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals and livestock. There are many different types of stables in use today; the ...

D-Generation X during concerts. He appeared on the May 18, 2000, edition of ''

WWF Smackdown ''WWE SmackDown'', also known as ''Friday Night SmackDown'' or simply ''SmackDown'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that as of currently airs live every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Fox Deportes simulc ...

'' during a taping in Detroit to drink beer with

The Acolytes The Acolytes Protection Agency (APA) was an American professional wrestling tag team who consisted of Bradshaw (John Layfield) and Faarooq (Ron Simmons). They wrestled for the American promotion World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E) b ...

, and on the May 29 edition of ''

Raw Is War ''WWE Raw'', also known as ''Monday Night Raw'' or simply ''Raw'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that currently airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network in the United States. The show fe ...

'', helping

Too Cool Too Cool, originally known as Too Much, was an American professional wrestling tag team and group active in the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2001 and for a short time in 2004 and 2014. The group ...

win their only

WWF Tag Team Championship The World Tag Team Championship was the original professional wrestling world tag team championship in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion, and the promotion's third tag team championship overall. Originally established by the then- ...

in 2000 from Edge and Christian. He was also featured posthumously in the animated film ''

Osmosis Jones ''Osmosis Jones'' is a 2001 American live-action/animated buddy cop crime action comedy film written by Marc Hyman. Combining live-action sequences directed by the Farrelly brothers and animation directed by Piet Kroon and Tom Sito, the film sta ...

'' as a part of Kidney Rock.

Death

On November 16, 2000, Calleja died in his sleep at his parents' home in Taylor, Michigan, from complications from celiac disease. His death was determined to be from natural causes and no autopsy was performed. 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." Rock dedicated his 2001 album '' Cocky'' to Calleja.

Discography

With Kid Rock

* '' Devil Without a Cause'' (1998) * ''

The History of Rock ''The History of Rock'' is a compilation album by American rapper Kid Rock. Released in 2000, the album consists of re-recorded versions of songs from the album ''The Polyfuze Method'', remixed versions of songs from the album ''Early Mornin' Sto ...

'' (2000) * ''

Live Trucker ''Live Trucker'' is a live album by Kid Rock and the Twisted Brown Trucker band. It was released on February 28, 2006, via Top Dog/ Atlantic Records. Most of the songs were recorded from August 26 through August 28, 2004 at DTE Energy Music Theat ...

'' (2006)

Soundtracks

* ''South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut'' (1999) * ''Osmosis Jones'' (2001)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:C, Joe 1974 births 2000 deaths Midwest hip hop musicians People from Taylor, Michigan Deaths from digestive disease Entertainers with dwarfism Nu metal singers Rappers from Detroit Rap rock musicians Rap metal musicians 20th-century American musicians